Puka Nacua has denied a woman\u2019s claim that he made an antisemitic comment, says the Rams wide receiver\u2019s attorney. <\/p>\n
Madison Atiabi made the claim this week in an application for a temporary restraining order obtained by The Times.<\/p>\n
Atiabi asserted in the court filing that during a group New Year\u2019s Eve dinner, Nacua said \u201cf\u2014 all the Jews … in a manner audible to [her] and others at the table.\u201d Atiabi added that Nacua\u2019s \u201cvulgar, threatening, violent and harassing conduct\u201d escalated as the evening progressed.<\/p>\n
After dinner, Atiabi said she was in a car with Nacua and others when the Rams star bit her on the left shoulder, leaving a substantial bite mark that was photographed. Nacua also is alleged to have bitten the thumb of Atiabi\u2019s friend \u201cso forcefully that she screamed in pain,\u201d according to the filing.<\/p>\n
Nacua\u2019s attorney, Levi McCathern, said he has spoken to witnesses \u2014 including other Rams players who were present \u2014 who didn\u2019t hear Nacua make the antisemitic statement. He also said the bite was innocent \u201chorseplay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPuka denies these allegations in the strongest possible terms,\u201d McCathern said. \u201cWe will pursue all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements.\u201d<\/p>\n
The request for a temporary restraining order was denied by a Los Angeles Superior Court judicial officer and a hearing is scheduled for April 14. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur office was contacted with demands of millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing these allegations,\u201d McCathern told TMZ. \u201cThis is not a legitimate claim \u2014 it is blackmail.\u201d<\/p>\n
In December, Nacua apologized for an antisemitic gesture he made while appearing on a livestream with Adin Ross and N3on.<\/a> <\/p>\n The livestreamers, with Nacua out of earshot, discussed whether Nacua would get in trouble if he performed a move that references an offensive stereotype about Jewish people. Ross is Jewish, but he often performs the move in his livestreams.<\/p>\n