Latest news with #Williamson
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zion Williamson accused of rape in bombshell lawsuit
Pelicans star Zion Williamson is being accused of rape by a woman claiming to be his ex-girlfriend. In a bombshell lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by The Post, the woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleges Williamson raped her twice in 2020. In one instance, Doe claimed Williamson, 24, arrived to the Beverly Hills home he purportedly rented while training during COVID on Nov. 23, 2020 and demanded sex. According to Doe, Williamson called her 'stuck up' and a 'bitch,' and when she refused to engage in sex, the 6-foot-6, 280-pound power forward 'pinned Plaintiff down on the bed with her hands behind her back and raped her.' Williamson is alleged to have taken her phone and choked her for 'talking too much' afterward. A second claim of rape occurred the following month, in which Doe spoke of potentially visiting a friend, leading Williamson to have allegedly 'picked her up, threw her down to the ground, and pinned her shoulders down so she could not move,' and then he reputedly 'violently raped Plaintiff in multiple ways.' She says he then took her phone and computer so she could not 'contact anyone to secure a ride elsewhere, report the assault, or seek medical care.' ESPN reported the accuser is seeking 'anywhere from $18 million to $50 million.' In a statement provided to The Post, Williamson denied the allegations through his legal reps. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' his reps said. 'The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless. This is the plaintiff's third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' Williamson acknowledged a consensual, casual relationship with Doe, and that she only began demanding 'millions of dollars' after their time together ended. He intends to file a counterclaim against Doe and will seek 'significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit.' 'While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court,' his reps said. 'We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson.' Doe's suit alleges a pattern of 'abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior toward Plaintiff' that also occurred in Louisiana and several other states. Williamson is also accused of threatening to have his security guard shoot Doe 'in the head while the security guard was present and carrying a loaded firearm multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023,' and 'threatening to have his paid security guard kill Plaintiff's parents, after informing Plaintiff that he knows their home address multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023.' 'Our client is very adamant about this — it's not her desire or our desire to litigate this case in the press,' Doe's attorney, Sam Taylor with the Lanier Law Firm, told The Post on Friday. 'It's a very serious case, as reflected in the allegations. Our client looks forward to her day in court where she can go and explain to a jury what happened to her, the things she endured for this defendant and getting justice.' Doe claims to have been in a 'dating relationship' with Williamson beginning around 2018 while he was a freshman at Duke, and the relationship continued through June 2023. Williamson went on to be the first overall pick by New Orleans in the 2019 NBA Draft. Despite an injury-marred start to his career, he made the All-Rookie team in 2020 and has twice been an All-Star in five seasons, all with the Pelicans. Williamson has made headlines over his personal life on a numerous occasions. In April, Williamson was dragged into a home invasion incident involving the mother of his child, Ahkeema Love, 31, who was arrested for attacking a romantic rival. Love was charged with home invasion, aggravated battery and stalking after she broke into an unidentified woman's residence and 'grabbed the victim's hair and struck the victim with keys clenched in her fist,' Kenner police said in a probable cause affidavit, per NBC News. Williamson was not named in the affidavit. Love was served an order of protection as part of her custody release following a bond hearing, according to court records. In 2023, adult film star Moriah Mills claimed she had an intimate relationship with the former No. 1 overall pick, and threatened to release alleged sex tapes of the two. In March, Love revealed she is pregnant and celebrating 'another addition to our family' in an Instagram post. She did not name the child's father. Love and Williamson welcomed a daughter in 2023.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zion Williamson rape accuser seeking eye-popping $18 million to $50 million in bombshell lawsuit
The woman alleging Zion Williamson raped her is seeking 'anywhere from $18 million to $50 million' in the lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles superior court, a source told ESPN. Williamson denied the allegations to The Post on Friday via his legal representatives. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, claims to be the Pelicans star's ex-girlfriend, having allegedly started dating when Williamson was a freshman at Duke in 2018 until 2023. 'During the course of their relationship, Defendant engaged in a continuing pattern of abusive, controlling and threatening behavior toward Plaintiff,' the lawsuit reads, as obtained by The Post. 'His wrongful conduct occurred in Louisiana and continued thereafter across several states. The abuse was sexual, physical, emotional and financial in nature.' The lawsuit contains graphic details from a pair of 2020 encounters. Doe alleges in the lawsuit that she arrived on Sept. 23, 2020 to the Beverly Hills home that Williamson rented at the time and he requested sex. When Doe told the former No. 1 pick she was tired and wanted to go to sleep, he allegedly called her 'stuck up' and a 'b—h' and said she could not go to bed before sleeping with him. After she said no, the 24-year-old Williamson allegedly 'pinned Plaintiff down on the bed with her hands behind her back and raped her.' When Doe attempted to grab her phone, Williamson allegedly threw it across the room before choking her and yelling at her for 'talking too much.' A second alleged rape is claimed to have occurred roughly one month later on Oct. 10, 2020. Doe alleges to have told Williamson she wanted to visit a friend in San Diego and he said that she could not go while throwing items in the house. Williamson is then alleged to have 'picked her up, threw her down to the ground, and pinned her shoulders down so she could not move. Defendant violently raped Plaintiff in multiple ways.' Doe alleges Williamson then took her cell phone and laptop to prevent her from contacting anyone. The lawsuit alleges Williamson 'continued to abuse, rape, assault and batter plaintiff' in multiple other states until the relationship ended in 2023. Doe also claims Williamson threatened to kill her and her family, including an allegation of him threatening to pay his security guard to shoot her in the head and kill her parents. 'Our client is very adamant about this — it's not her desire or our desire to litigate this case in the press,' Doe's attorney, Sam Taylor with the Lanier Law Firm, said to The Post. 'It's a very serious case, as reflected in the allegations. Our client looks forward to her day in court where she can go and explain to a jury what happened to her, the things she endured for this defendant and getting justice.' Williamson's legal counsel said in a statement they plan to file a counterclaim against Doe and seek 'significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless,' Williamson's legal counsel told The Post. 'This is the plaintiff's third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' The representatives added that Williamson has reported 'the plaintiff's extortion attempts to law enforcement' and allege that an arrest warrant was issued 'in connection with the report.' His representatives claim the two had a 'consensual, casual relationship' but never dated. 'That relationship ended years ago. At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns. Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars,' the statement provided to The Post on Friday read. '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.' Williamson just completed his sixth season in the NBA — he did not play in 2021-22 — all with the Pelicans, and has struggled to live up to expectations due to injuries. He has played at least 60 games only twice, with the ex-Duke star appearing in only 30 games this past season. Williamson has dealt with off-the-court drama during his career. Adult film star Moriah Mills claimed in 2023 that the two had a relationship and she threatened to release alleged sex tapes featuring the pair. Ahkeema Love, the mother of Williamson's daughter, was arrested in April and charged with home invasion, aggravated battery and stalking after breaking into a woman's home and hitting her with keys, Kenner (La.) police said, as reported by NBC News. Williamson was not named in the probable cause affidavit from the incident.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Zion Williamson rape accuser seeking eye-popping $18 million to $50 million in bombshell lawsuit
The woman alleging Zion Williamson raped her is seeking 'anywhere from $18 million to $50 million' in the lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles superior court, a source told ESPN. Williamson denied the allegations to The Post on Friday via his legal representatives. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, claims to be the Pelicans star's ex-girlfriend, having allegedly started dating when Williamson was a freshman at Duke in 2018 until 2023. 'During the course of their relationship, Defendant engaged in a continuing pattern of abusive, controlling and threatening behavior toward Plaintiff,' the lawsuit reads, as obtained by The Post. 'His wrongful conduct occurred in Louisiana and continued thereafter across several states. The abuse was sexual, physical, emotional and financial in nature.' 4 Zion Williams is alleged to have committed rape in a new lawsuit. AP The lawsuit contains graphic details from a pair of 2020 encounters. Doe alleges in the lawsuit that she arrived on Sept. 23, 2020 to the Beverly Hills home that Williamson rented at the time and he requested sex. When Doe told the former No. 1 pick she was tired and wanted to go to sleep, he allegedly called her 'stuck up' and a 'b—h' and said she could not go to bed before sleeping with him. After she said no, the 24-year-old Williamson allegedly 'pinned Plaintiff down on the bed with her hands behind her back and raped her.' When Doe attempted to grab her phone, Williamson allegedly threw it across the room before choking her and yelling at her for 'talking too much.' A second alleged rape is claimed to have occurred roughly one month later on Oct. 10, 2020. Doe alleges to have told Williamson she wanted to visit a friend in San Diego and he said that she could not go while throwing items in the house. 4 Zion Williamson with the Pelicans during a March 2025 game. NBAE via Getty Images Williamson is then alleged to have 'picked her up, threw her down to the ground, and pinned her shoulders down so she could not move. Defendant violently raped Plaintiff in multiple ways.' Doe alleges Williamson then took her cell phone and laptop to prevent her from contacting anyone. The lawsuit alleges Williamson 'continued to abuse, rape, assault and batter plaintiff' in multiple other states until the relationship ended in 2023. 4 Zion Williamson allegedly began dating the woman while at Duke in 2018. AP Doe also claims Williamson threatened to kill her and her family, including an allegation of him threatening to pay his security guard to shoot her in the head and kill her parents. 'Our client is very adamant about this — it's not her desire or our desire to litigate this case in the press,' Doe's attorney, Sam Taylor with the Lanier Law Firm, said to The Post. 'It's a very serious case, as reflected in the allegations. Our client looks forward to her day in court where she can go and explain to a jury what happened to her, the things she endured for this defendant and getting justice.' Williamson's legal counsel said in a statement they plan to file a counterclaim against Doe and seek 'significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless,' Williamson's legal counsel told The Post. 'This is the plaintiff's third set of attorneys. This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' 4 Williamson represented the Pelicans at the NBA draft lottery. NBAE via Getty Images The representatives added that Williamson has reported 'the plaintiff's extortion attempts to law enforcement' and allege that an arrest warrant was issued 'in connection with the report.' His representatives claim the two had a 'consensual, casual relationship' but never dated. 'That relationship ended years ago. At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns. Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars,' the statement provided to The Post on Friday read. '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.' Williamson just completed his sixth season in the NBA — he did not play in 2021-22 — all with the Pelicans, and has struggled to live up to expectations due to injuries. He has played at least 60 games only twice, with the ex-Duke star appearing in only 30 games this past season. Williamson has dealt with off-the-court drama during his career. Adult film star Moriah Mills claimed in 2023 that the two had a relationship and she threatened to release alleged sex tapes featuring the pair. Ahkeema Love, the mother of Williamson's daughter, was arrested in April and charged with home invasion, aggravated battery and stalking after breaking into a woman's home and hitting her with keys, Kenner (La.) police said, as reported by NBC News. Williamson was not named in the probable cause affidavit from the incident.
The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Zion Williamson: Lawsuit accuses Pelicans star of rape, abuse and more
The accuser, who filed the lawsuit under the name Jane Doe, said the incidents occurred at a residence Williamson rented in Beverly Hills, California, during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. She is requesting a jury trial as well as exemplary and punitive damages. The lawsuit says the plaintiff and Williamson dated from 2018 to 2023, beginning when he was a freshman at Duke University, and the abuse during the relationship was "sexual, physical, emotional, and financial in nature." "We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and and reckless," Williamson's attorneys from the law firm Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver said in a statement obtained by USA TODAY Sports. "Mr. Williamson and the plaintiff never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago, when he was 18 years old. That relationship ended years ago. At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns. Only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars. "Mr. Williamson reported the plaintiff's extortion attempts to law enforcement. We understand that an arrest warrant was issued in connection with that report, and we are prepared to provide the court with documentation that supports these facts. Mr. Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit." The lawsuit says Williamson assaulted the woman twice -- once in September of 2020 and again the following month -- and that Williamson "continued to abuse, rape, assault and batter Plaintiff in California and other states, including Louisiana and Texas, until the relationship ended in 2023." According to the lawsuit, the two-time All-Star threatened the accuser by saying his security guard would shoot her "in the head while the security guard was present and carrying a loaded firearm multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023," and "threatening to have his paid security guard kill Plaintiff's parents, after informing Plaintiff that he knows their home address multiple times in Louisiana between 2020 and 2023." Williamson allegedly took the plaintiff's car keys, phone, and laptop without her consent, pointed a loaded firearm at the plaintiff's head, and filmed sexual encounters between the two, threatening to release videos after she wanted to end the relationship, according to the lawsuit. "When many of the wrongful acts were committed against Plaintiff, Defendant was either drunk or on cocaine," according to the complaint. "As a direct and proximate result of Defendant's conduct, Plaintiff has suffered severe emotional distress, anxiety, depression, humiliation, loss of sleep, and other physical and emotional injuries." The plaintiff's lawyer told USA TODAY Sports: ""We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press. These are very serious allegations." Williamson averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists this NBA season, in only 30 games due to injuries, including a lower back bone contusion. Williamson just completed the second season of a five-year, $197 million and is set to make nearly $40 million during the 2025-26 season. The final three years of his contract are not guaranteed. "While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court," Williamson's attorneys said. "We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson."
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
Zion Williamson's girlfriend Ahkeema's shares self-motivation story on Instagram amid r*pe allegation on New Orleans Pelicans star
Zion Williamson and girlfriend Ahkeema. Image via: ahh_concreterose/ Instagram As Zion Williamson faces a wave of serious allegations, his girlfriend Ahkeema took to Instagram with a message focused on self-love. Just as the New Orleans Pelicans star was named in a disturbing lawsuit accusing him of r*pe, assault, and emotional abuse, Ahkeema shared a post of self-motivation. The timing of her post has drawn attention, especially given the gravity of the claims now surrounding Williamson. Ahkeema shares an Instagram story amid recent allegations on Zion Williamson Ahkeema shares an Instagram story. Image via: ahh_concreterose/ Instagram Ahkeema, who has nearly 56,000 followers on Instagram, posted a collage featuring two selfies and a caption that read, 'Get to know me. My latest obsession, me.' The post arrived the same day Jane Doe filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Williamson of years-long abuse. According to PEOPLE, the woman claimed the relationship began in 2018 during Williamson's time at Duke University and escalated into acts of violence, manipulation, and r*pe. Jane Doe alleged that she was r*ped twice in 2020, once in a Beverly Hills home Williamson allegedly rented while training during the COVID pandemic. Williamson allegedly called her 'stuck up' and a 'b*tch' before pinning her down and r*ping her. She accuses him of using cocaine and threatening to have his security kill her and her family. Her lawyer, Rachel Lanier of The Lanier Law Firm, described the case as one of 'coercive control, threats, and domination including stalking, strangulation and threats with a loaded firearm.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Lanier said her client had endured years of abuse and only after months of medical treatment and counseling, found the courage to come forward. Zion Williamson, through his attorney Michael Balascio, issued a firm denial. 'The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless,' Balascio stated. He claimed the relationship was casual and consensual, ending years ago. He asserted that 'at no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns.' Furthermore, Balascio said Williamson reported alleged extortion attempts by the accuser and is planning to file counterclaims, 'We understand that an arrest warrant was issued in connection with that report… We are confident that the legal process will expose the truth and fully vindicate Mr. Williamson.' Jane Doe's legal team responded through attorney Sam E. Taylor, asserting, 'We have every intent to take this matter to trial… Each of these claims is supported by witnesses and corroborating evidence.' Also Read: New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson accused of r*pe and years of abuse by former girlfriend in Los Angeles lawsuit While legal proceedings begin to unfold, Ahkeema's message stands out as a quiet declaration of self-worth in the midst of public chaos. Of course, the post appeared around the same time the news about Williamson broke, but it's possible she wasn't aware of it at the time.
