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Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Zion Williamson accused of sexual violence against woman in lawsuit
Published May 30, 2025 • 2 minute read New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by Matt Kelley / AP Zion Williamson is being sued by a woman describing herself as a former dating partner and who alleges the New Orleans Pelicans star committed repeated sexual violence against her. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night, identifies the plaintiff as 'Jane Doe.' She claims she began dating Williamson in 2018, when he played at Duke, and alleges that he engaged in abusive behaviour toward her in California, Louisiana and Texas from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2023. Williamson's New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit 'categorically false and reckless,' and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement. 'We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them,' Balascio said in a written statement provided to The Associated Press. 'This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The lawsuit alleges that the first instance of sexual violence occurred in a home Williamson had rented in Beverly Hills, California. The lawsuit also alleges that Williamson temporarily took the plaintiff's mobile phone from her after the first two instances of forced intercourse and also took her laptop after the second. The complaint includes accusations of strangulation, death threats to the plaintiff and her family, and physical abuse, including being kicked, slammed with a car door, and suffocated until she lost consciousness. 'We're going to be very cautious about litigating this in the press,' said the plaintiff's attorney, Sam Taylor II, who is with the Lanier Law Firm in Los Angeles. 'This is a very serious case as reflected in the allegations in the complaint, which are pretty detailed,' Taylor continued, adding that his client 'genuinely looks forward to her day in court when she can tell a jury of her peers what happened to her and seek justice.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages — including punitive damages — for emotional distress. Balascio said Williamson and the plaintiff 'never dated, but did maintain a consensual, casual relationship that began more than six years ago,' when Williamson was 18. 'At no point during or immediately after that relationship did the plaintiff raise any concerns,' Balascio said, adding that 'only after the friendship ended did she begin demanding millions of dollars.' Williamson also intends to file counterclaims and 'seek significant damages for this defamatory lawsuit,' Balascio said. A Pelicans spokesman said the club was aware of the matter but deferred comment to Williamson's lawyer. Williamson was the first player picked in the 2019 draft. In six years as a pro, he has averaged 24.7 points per game. But has played in only 214 of 472 regular season games — and no playoff games — during that span because of a series of injuries, one of which caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. Toronto & GTA World Toronto & GTA World Columnists
Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays place big-ticket free-agent slugger Anthony Santander on 10-day IL
Get the latest from Frank Zicarelli straight to your inbox Toronto Blue Jays' Anthony Santander runs to first base after his single off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Garrett Cleavinger during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by Chris O'Meara / AP At least for the time being, Tony Taters is in tatters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Given the five-year deal worth a cool $92.5-million he signed this off-season in free agency, Anthony Santander isn't going anywhere any time soon. He is going on the 10-day injured list, a move the Blue Jays revealed in the hours leading up to Friday night's first pitch against the visiting Athletics. To date, the Jays have not received much from the investment they made into the switch-hitting slugger, whose struggles at the plate prompted the club to recently give Santander an off-day to reset, only to admit he was dealing with a sore shoulder and later a hip issue. For the record, Santander's activation to the injured list was necessitated because of left shoulder inflammation. He had an MRI on it done on Thursday. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled outfielder Alan Roden from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Despite dealing with his various health woes, at no point, until now, Santander was never placed on the IL, even though voices outside of the club were growing louder as his productivity at the plate faltered. Earlier this month, when the Jays were on a West Coast trip, Santander suffered the shoulder injury in a series against the L.A. Angels. The injury occurred when he crashed into the stands down the line in right field in pursuit of a fly ball. When the Jays got their hands on Santander — a move many in baseball endorsed, by the way — the thinking was the franchise had finally found a slugging piece to hit in the middle of the order. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 50 games, Santander, who hit a career-high 44 homers last season with the Baltimore Orioles, has gone deep six times. His 55 strikeouts does lead the Blue Jays, a stat no one envisioned when he arrived in town. If he had double-digit homers, perhaps all of those K's would be tolerated. On one side, credit goes to Santander for trying to play through the injury, even though he wasn't producing much in his at-bats. On the other, one is left to wonder why such a move to go on the IL wasn't made sooner. The team, meanwhile, continues to evaluate whether anything played out to make the shoulder worse in the wake of the initial setback, and if rest is the best course of action or resorting to a cortisone shot. In other IL-related developments, veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) completed a live bullpen session Friday at the Rogers Centre under the auspices of club GM Ross Atkins, manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker. Many of Scherzer's teammates were on hand as well. By all accounts, the experience went well. As Scherzer has constantly reminded anyone who would listen, the biggest hurdle involves how the thumb responds in the ensuing days. Scherzer's one and only start with the Blue Jays lasted all of three innings when Baltimore was in town in the Jays' season-series opener. Toronto & GTA World Toronto & GTA World Columnists
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Tyreek Hill says Bills fans 'stupid as hell' and have brain damage
Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Photo by Megan Briggs / Getty Images There's no love lost between Buffalo Bills fans and star wideout Tyreek Hill, and don't expect that to change anytime soon. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Hill, who has played for arch rivals Kansas City and Miami, stoked the flames on a recent appearance with streamer Adin Ross. Ross asked Hill if he disliked any fanbase and he quickly responded, 'The Bills.' He added: 'I don't f— with the Bills. F— every time we — bro, when I used to play in Kansas City, bro it was always 'f— the Bills' every time we played against them. And we f—d them up every time,' Hill said. 'But in Miami it's the same thing too, though, but like 10 times harder. It's 'f— the Bills' all day. All they wanna do is jump through f—in' tables 'cause they got f-in' CTE. Stupid-a– fans. The fans are stupid as a–,' he said, according to the Daily Mail. Despite Hill's bluster, his teams are only 2-7 against Buffalo in the regular season, and 1-1 in the playoffs. He has two touchdowns in the regular season games. Read More Bills fans are known for jumping through folding tables at tailgate parties before games. Hill has undergone multiple surgeries this offseason aiming to fix a wrist injury. It was up in the air if he'd return to Miami, but he was in attendance this week at organized team activities with the Dolphins. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto & GTA World Columnists World Crime
Calgary Herald
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Conservative MP Damien Kurek calls on colleagues to 'fight for Canada' as he steps down for Poilievre
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot, Damien Kurek, right, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. OTTAWA — With a wave of his black cowboy hat and a call for all Parliamentarians to 'fight for Canada,' Alberta Conservative MP Damien Kurek made a heartfelt final address in the House of Commons Thursday before stepping aside for leader Pierre Poilievre. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Flanked by a few dozen of his Conservative colleagues after question period, the MP for Battle River—Crowfoot said that politics had been a 'wild, wild ride' for him and his family as he called on his constituents to support Poilievre in the upcoming byelection. During his 10-minute speech, he called on MPs to fight together for Canada, argued that Alberta deserves a 'fair voice' within the federation, threw the occasional barb at the Liberals and joked that stepping down was a more complicated process than expected. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'I didn't know it would be quite so much work to resign,' the hulking Kurek said with his emblematic booming voice, earning laughs from MPs in the chamber. Kurek was first elected in the rural Alberta riding in 2019 and was handily re-elected in April with over 80 per cent of the vote. But when Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his longtime Ottawa riding of Carleton, Kurek announced he would step aside to allow the party head to run in his stead. Kurek said he will resign as soon as House of Commons rules allow it, likely meaning in late June. He's also promised to run again in Battle River—Crowfoot in the next federal election. 'I don't plan to retire from politics, but I am stepping aside to ensure that this byelection is triggered,' he said. The reason why Kurek is the Conservative MP stepping aside for Poilievre appeared to come from NDP MP Gord Johns, who expressed his condolences to Kurek for his father's passing in the last year and wishing him well in taking over the family farm. 'He's going to do well with it, and we wish him well as a farmer, supporting Canadians so we get our food, and the work that he does around his farm,' Johns said. 'I thank the member for the very kind words,' Kurek replied. 'And I think it emphasizes that in this place, we can trade passionate partisan barbs, we can passionately disagree, but that doesn't mean that there's hatred toward each other.' This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His farewell speech was briefly heckled by Liberal MPs, one of which loudly booed his announcement that he was resigning to allow Poilievre to run and another who loudly lamented the cost of a byelection (estimates vary from $1.7 million to $2 million). The comments pushed Conservative MP Michael Barrett to cross the aisle and apparently scold them before Johns and some Liberal MPs jumped in to lower the temperature. While responding to later well-wishes from the Liberals, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Greens, Kurek acknowledged that he was excited to be back on the family farm — and far from opposing party benches. 'I look forward to being able to spend a little bit more time in a tractor cab. The good thing about being in a tractor cab, Mr. Speaker, is that it doesn't heckle you,' he said. Kurek also repeatedly thanked his wife Danielle, who was watching from the visitors' gallery, for supporting his time in politics and noted that he looked forward to spending more time with his three sons. He then finished with a call to action for all MPs. 'As Danielle and I move on to what is a bit of an unexpected chapter of our lives, I would ask each and every person in this House: fight for Canada, fight for what's right, and do so boldly and strongly, because that's the least we can do for the people that send us here.' 'I plan to be back, God willing, but in the meantime, I look forward to being the best husband, the best dad and the best rural farmer that I can possibly be,' he added. He then stood up, waved his trademark black cowboy hat in the air, and walked out of the House of Commons. Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
Toronto Sun
14 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Canadian man's body washes up at popular Mexican beach as friend remains missing
Braydon Bretzer of Saskatoon was spotted in choppy waters considered unsafe for swimmers Braydon Bretzer, of Saskatoon, whose body was recovered from Mexican waters. Photo by GoFundMe The body of a Canadian man has been recovered while his American friend remains missing after the pair disappeared from a popular tourist beach in Oaxaca, Mexico. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Braydon Bretzer, 31, of Saskatoon, and Chris Ankele, 40, of the U.S., were spotted in the choppy waters that were considered unsafe for swimmers, the U.K. Sun reported. The two men were last seen off Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido on the country's southern Pacific coast when they were pulled away by a strong current, authorities said. A local Oaxaca Civil Protection unit and a team of lifeguards launched a search-and-rescue mission but they were unable to find the men. Video footage filmed on Monday showed a body floating in the water as an emergency boat approached. Bretzer died due to drowning, according to initial reports. Ankele has yet to be found. Braydon Bretzer, of Saskatoon, whose body was recovered from Mexican waters. (GoFundMe) Photo by GoFundMe 'Search efforts continue to determine the whereabouts of the second tourist, following the protocols established in the sea search plan,' the San Pedro Mixtepec mayor's office said in a statement on Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The municipal government reiterates its commitment to addressing this emergency and maintains ongoing coordination with state and federal authorities.' A GoFundMe has been launched for Bretzer's family as tributes for the former youth football coach and freelance marketing consultant poured in. RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'On the night of May 25th, we lost a very special friend, brother, son and teammate,' reads the donation page. 'Braydon's sudden passing has left a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.' It continued: 'Braydon lived life to the fullest. He had a contagious energy, and a heart that made space for everyone. He was loved by many — he made people feel seen, valued, and cared for.' Read More The fundraiser has raised more than $20,000 as of Friday afternoon. The family noted that any excess donations would go to charities Braydon loved. Crime World Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Television
