NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A civil lawsuit filed in California accuses New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson of rape, assault, kidnapping and making death threats over the course of a multi-year relationship, spanning multiple states.
Pelicans owner Gayle Benson commented on the allegations Tuesday, saying, “Lawsuits are lawsuits. You can sue for anything. It’s just something people do, unfortunately.”
Filed under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” the lawsuit claims the woman began dating Williamson in 2018 while he was a student-athlete at Duke University. She alleges that after Williamson joined the NBA, he began abusing her during visits to California, Louisiana, and Texas.
Williamson’s attorney, Michael Balascio, issued a denial, saying the two were never in a romantic relationship and describing the accusations as part of a pattern of extortion.
“At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns,” the statement reads. “Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars.”
Balascio says counterclaims are being prepared and his client plans to seek damages.
The woman’s attorney, Sam E. Taylor of The Lanier Law Firm, said in a statement, “We don’t want to litigate this case in the media. But I will say this is a very serious case … and our client looks forward to her day in court to seek justice.”
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