A girl has accused New Orleans Pelicans ahead Zion Williamson of rape along with “sexual, bodily, emotional and monetary” abuse over the span of a multiyear relationship, in response to a lawsuit submitted to Los Angeles Superior Courtroom on Thursday.
The girl, who’s recognized as Jane Doe, accuses Williamson of a “persevering with sample of abusive, controlling and threatening conduct” over the course of a relationship that began throughout Williamson’s freshman yr at Duke and lasted from 2018 to 2023.
The 12-page civil criticism, obtained by ESPN, says Williamson’s alleged actions occurred in a number of states, together with Louisiana and California.
“We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,” Williamson’s attorneys at Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C. mentioned in a press release. “The allegations contained within the criticism are categorically false and reckless. … This seems to be an try to take advantage of knowledgeable athlete pushed by a monetary motive fairly than any respectable grievance.”
The attorneys famous that Williamson and the girl had a “consensual, informal relationship” that ended years in the past and that “at no level throughout or instantly after that relationship did the plaintiff elevate any issues.” They added that Williamson had reported the girl’s “extortion makes an attempt” to regulation enforcement and that the two-time All-Star plans to file a counterclaim.
“Whereas these allegations are false, we acknowledge the seriousness of the claims and welcome the chance to show the reality in courtroom. We’re assured that the authorized course of will expose the reality and totally vindicate Mr. Williamson,” the attorneys mentioned.
A Pelicans spokesperson deferred remark to Williamson’s authorized group.