In a shocking turn of events, Zion Williamson, the star player for the New Orleans Pelicans and former Duke standout, has been accused of rape and abuse by a woman identified as Jane Doe. The allegations surfaced in a civil lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit outlines two specific incidents from 2020, during which Williamson allegedly raped the accuser in a Beverly Hills apartment he was renting at the time.
The lawsuit reveals that these two alleged incidents were not isolated events. According to the complaint, “Defendant continued to abuse, rape, assault, and batter Plaintiff in California and other states, including Louisiana and Texas, until the relationship ended in 2023.” This assertion paints a troubling picture of a prolonged pattern of abuse throughout their relationship.
Williamson's legal team, Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, LLC, strongly denied the allegations in a statement sent to The Times on Friday. They described the claims as “categorically false and reckless,” suggesting that this may be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete for financial gain rather than addressing any legitimate grievances. The attorneys further clarified that Williamson and the accuser “never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship.” They also indicated that Williamson intends to file counterclaims and pursue significant damages for what they term a defamatory lawsuit.
The accuser is seeking unspecified damages for nine different charges, including assault, sexual battery, domestic violence, burglary, stalking, and false imprisonment. Attorney Sam Taylor from the Lanier Law Firm, representing the accuser, emphasized that while they do not wish to litigate this case in the press, the seriousness of the allegations is reflected in the complaint. “Our client looks forward to her day in court where she can talk to a jury of her peers and tell them what happened to her and how bad it was,” Taylor stated.
According to the lawsuit, the relationship between Williamson and the accuser began during his freshman year at Duke, where he played for the 2018-19 season. The document outlines a disturbing pattern of “abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior” exhibited by Williamson throughout their relationship. The alleged abuse took place in multiple states, including Louisiana, California, and Texas, and involved various forms of emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse.
Specific details in the lawsuit highlight two alleged rapes that occurred on or about September 23, 2020, and October 10, 2020. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Williamson committed multiple acts of criminal violence against the accuser, which included strangling her to the point of loss of consciousness, suffocating her, and even threatening her life and the lives of her family members. Disturbingly, the lawsuit states that Williamson “was either drunk or on cocaine” during many of these incidents.
The lawsuit asserts that as a direct result of Williamson's alleged conduct, the accuser has endured severe emotional distress, anxiety, depression, humiliation, and other physical and emotional injuries. Furthermore, she has incurred significant expenses for medical and psychological treatment, therapy, and counseling as a result of the abuse.
The allegations against Zion Williamson are serious and have significant implications for both his career and personal life. As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the developments in this legal matter, as both parties prepare to present their sides in court. The New Orleans Pelicans have not yet commented on the situation, and the outcome of this lawsuit could have lasting consequences for all involved.
