Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans star, is currently facing a civil lawsuit filed by a woman identifying herself as a former dating partner, who claims he committed repeated sexual violence against her. The lawsuit was lodged in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night and identifies the plaintiff as “Jane Doe.”
The plaintiff alleges that her relationship with Williamson began in 2018 while he was playing at Duke University and continued until 2023. According to the lawsuit, Williamson engaged in abusive behavior towards her across multiple states, including California, Louisiana, and Texas, from 2020 until the termination of their relationship in 2023.
Williamson’s attorney, Michael Balascio, responded to the allegations by labeling them as “categorically false and reckless.” He accused the plaintiff of attempting extortion, a claim he stated has already been reported to law enforcement authorities. Balascio expressed that the seriousness of these allegations is acknowledged while asserting that they are an attempt to exploit a professional athlete for financial gain rather than stemming from any legitimate grievance.
The lawsuit details alarming accusations, claiming that the first incident of sexual violence took place in a home rented by Williamson in Beverly Hills, California. The complaint mentions instances where Williamson allegedly took the plaintiff’s mobile phone after forced sexual encounters, as well as her laptop following the second incident. The accusations include severe acts of violence, such as strangulation, death threats against the plaintiff and her family, and various forms of physical abuse, including being kicked, slammed with a car door, and suffocated until losing consciousness.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Sam Taylor II from the Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles, stated that they intend to approach the litigation cautiously in the public arena. He emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that the allegations detailed in the complaint are quite specific. Taylor assured that his client looks forward to her day in court, where she can present her story to a jury and seek justice
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for emotional distress, including punitive damages. In contrast, Balascio claimed that Williamson and the plaintiff never actually dated but shared a consensual casual relationship that commenced over six years ago when Williamson was just 18. He noted that at no point during or immediately following their relationship did the plaintiff express any concerns and that only after their friendship ended did she begin to "demand millions of dollars."
Moreover, Balascio mentioned that Williamson intends to file counterclaims to seek significant damages due to what he termed a defamatory lawsuit. As for the Pelicans, a team spokesman acknowledged awareness of the situation but deferred further comments to Williamson’s legal counsel.
Since being drafted as the first overall pick in 2019, Williamson has had an impressive statistics record, averaging 24.7 points per game over his six-year career. However, he has struggled with injuries, participating in only 214 out of 472 regular season games and missing the entire 2021-22 season, which has raised concerns about his longevity in the sport.
