May 31st 2025.
In a shocking turn of events, New Orleans Pelicans' rising star, Zion Williamson, has been accused of rape and domestic violence in a lawsuit filed on May 29 in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff, who is referred to as Jane Doe, claims that she had a romantic relationship with Williamson while he was a freshman at Duke University in 2018.
According to reports from The Athletic, Jane Doe alleges that Williamson physically assaulted her multiple times, sexually abused her, and even threatened her life during their relationship, which ended in 2023. In the lawsuit, she also claims that Williamson displayed a pattern of controlling and abusive behavior. Jane Doe is seeking damages from Williamson, but the amount has not been specified.
The lawsuit, which spans 12 pages, details incidents that took place in various states, including California and Louisiana. The most alarming accusation is that Williamson allegedly strangled Jane Doe to the point of losing consciousness on multiple occasions. However, Williamson's lawyers from Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C., have denied all allegations and questioned the nature of their relationship, stating that it was consensual and casual.
In a statement, Williamson's lawyers stated, "We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless….This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance." They also claimed that the lawsuit was part of an extortion attempt and that they have reported the plaintiff's actions to law enforcement. They also stated that Williamson plans to file counterclaims and seek significant damages for the defamatory lawsuit.
However, the lawyers did not provide any further information about their communication with law enforcement. Jane Doe's lawyer, Sam Taylor, has refuted Williamson's lawyers' claims and stated that the allegations in the lawsuit are detailed and serious. He also revealed that his client and Williamson had attempted formal mediation before filing the lawsuit, but were unable to agree on terms.
Taylor stated, "This is a major undertaking. She knew what he was going to say about her." He also shared that his client has been seeking counseling ever since the relationship ended, due to the emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and humiliation she experienced because of Williamson's actions.
The lawsuit alleges that Williamson raped Jane Doe in September 2020, after he was drafted as the number one overall pick by the Pelicans in 2019. According to the complaint, Williamson's driver picked up Jane Doe from a hotel and drove her to his home in Beverly Hills, California. When Williamson arrived, he allegedly told her she couldn't sleep unless they had sex first. When she refused, he pinned her down and raped her, which he repeated several weeks later.
The lawsuit also claims that the physical and sexual abuse continued until 2023, and Williamson would threaten to leak nude videos and photos he had taken of Jane Doe without her consent to keep her in the relationship. The plaintiff's lawyer, Taylor, stated that he looks forward to presenting the case to a jury and letting them decide who is credible and who is not.
Despite the severe nature of the allegations, Williamson's lawyers remain confident and believe that their client will be vindicated. In a statement, they said, "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 news of the lawsuit against Williamson comes as a shock to many, especially since he is one of the most promising young players in the NBA. It also comes shortly after a related incident involving the mother of Williamson's child, who was charged with assault. This situation is still developing, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
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