BASKETBALL SHOCK
NBA superstar Zion Williamson releases statement denying lawsuit accusing him of rape and controlling behavior
Williamson says he 'categorically denies' the allegations
FORMER overall No. 1 draft pick and New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson has denied accusations of rape.
A lawsuit filed on Thursday details multiple years of alleged abusive behavior towards Williamson's ex-girlfriend, including physical threats against her and her family.
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Williamson issued an "unequivocal" denial to the claims through his lawyers, adding that they were "categorically false."
The suit was understood to have been submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court and filed anonymously under the pseudonym Jane Doe.
The plaintiff accused Williamson of "abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior," according to .
Williamson issued a statement through his attorneys at Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver denying the allegations.
"We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them," the statement read.
"The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless. This is the plaintiff’s third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.
"Mr Williamson and the plaintiff never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago, when he was 18 years old.
"That relationship ended years ago. At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns.
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"Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars. Mr Williamson reported the plaintiff’s extortion attempts to law enforcement.
"We understand that an arrest warrant was issued in connection with that report, and we are prepared to provide the court with documentation that supports these facts.
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"Mr. Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit.
"While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court. We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson."
The plaintiff's legal team released a statement regarding the lawsuit against Williamson.
"We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press," Lanier Law Firm's Sam Taylor said, .
"However, I will say this is a very serious case as reflected in the Complaint filed in Los Angeles County.
"Our client looks forward to her day in court before a jury of her peers to obtain justice in this matter."
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The plaintiff makes stunning accusations in the lawsuit, with mentions of Williamson threatening to kill her.
"Threatening to have his paid security guard shoot Plaintiff in the head while the security guard was present and carrying a loaded firearm multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023," one claim reads.
"Threatening to have his paid security guard kill Plaintiff's parents, after informing Plaintiff that he knows their home address multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023," another claim says.
"Monitoring Plaintiff's location at all hours, monitoring who Plaintiff was with, calling her repeatedly," another portion of the lawsuit claims.
"Following her home from work or sending his friends to follow her, continuously taking and going through her phone and laptop...
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"Entering her apartment without permission and rifling through her belongings...
"Lying in wait at her apartment for her to return in California and Louisiana between 2020 and 2023."
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