A woman accused Pelicans forward Zion Williamson of rape and “sexual, physical, emotional and economic” abuse, according to a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.
Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault, physical violence and abuse that some readers may feel upset. Readers are advised to have discretion.
The woman was identified as Jane Doe in the complaint, saying Williamson had continued “continuous abuse, control and threatening behavior” from Williamson starting in 2018 (at the time he was a freshman at Duke University, who was in 2023.
The document includes two specific rape charges since 2020. The first allegedly happened in September in Beverly Hills. According to the complaint, the woman told Williamson that she was tired and wanted to sleep, but he replied that she could not sleep without having sex with him.
He then allegedly fixed her, tied her hands behind her back, and raped her. She further claimed that Williamson threw the phone and choked her after the attack.
The second incident allegedly occurred in October 2020, also in Beverly Hills. The woman said she told Williamson that she was “violently raped.” In both incidents, she claimed that Williamson “takes his phone away for a while.”
The complaint also accused Williamson of strangling the woman to the point of unconsciousness, threatening to kill her and her family, breaking into her apartment without permission and stealing her property.
She is seeking monetary losses, including punitive damages for emotional distress, sources told ESPN that the amount sought ranges from $18 million to $50 million.
Williamson's lawyer, from Barrasso Usdin Kupperan Freeman & Sarver LLC, denied the allegations in a statement: “The allegations contained in the complaint are absolutely false and reckless. … It seems to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete powered by financial motivation, rather than any legal complaint.” They claimed that the relationship was accidental and voluntary, ended several years ago when the plaintiffs never attracted attention. They also alleged Williamson reported the woman’s “rape attempts” against law enforcement and intended to file a counterclaim.
“It's a very serious case,” said Sam Taylor II of the women's lawyer, Ranier Law Firm. “It's really a serious case,” his client said. “It's really looking forward to her day in court … seeking justice.”
A Pelicans spokesman declined to comment, postponing Williamson's legal team.
