Zion Williamson faces rape accusation in Los Angeles

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson has been accused of rape and physical abuse by a woman identifying herself as his former girlfriend, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles.

The lawsuit, filed by a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, alleges a pattern of abuse spanning from 2018 to 2023.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff and Williamson began a dating relationship in 2018 when Williamson was a freshman at Duke University. The relationship allegedly continued until June 2023, during which time the plaintiff claims Williamson engaged in “a continuing pattern of abusive, controlling, and threatening behavior.”

The lawsuit details two alleged rape incidents in Beverly Hills in September and October 2020, when Williamson was reportedly training there. 

The lawsuit states that on or about September 23, 2020 Williamson told Jane Doe that she “could not go to sleep without having sex with him” before he pinned her down on the bed with her hands behind her back and raped her. 

The second alleged rape happened in Beverly Hills on October 10, 2020. Williamson allegedly became angry after Jane Doe stated that she was going to see a friend in San Diego. According to the lawsuit he told her no, threw things at her, picker her up and pinned her on the ground and “violently raped her in multiple ways.”

The complaint accuses Williamson of assault, battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, domestic violence, stalking, burglary, false imprisonment. The lawsuit alleges many incidents occurred when Williamson was under the influence of alcohol or cocaine.

Williamson’s representatives strongly denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday.

Read the full lawsuit here: 

Read the full statement below: 

We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness, and we unequivocally deny them. 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. 

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. 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. 

“We and our client do not want to litigate this case in the press. However, I will say this is a very serious case as reflected in the Complaint filed in Los Angeles County,”  says, co-lead attorney, Sam Taylor, “We have every intent to take this matter to trial and openly hold Mr. Williamson accountable and send a message that no one is above the law. Each of these claims is supported by witnesses and corroborating evidence, but this still requires extraordinary courage on our client’s part.”

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Click here to report a typo.

► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.