A woman has accused Pelicans forward Zion Williamson of rape, as well as “sexual, physical, emotional, and financial” abuse during a multiyear relationship, according to a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual assault, physical violence, and abuse that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
Identified in the complaint as Jane Doe, the woman alleges a “continuing pattern of abusive, controlling and threatening behavior” by Williamson from 2018—when he was a freshman at Duke—through 2023. The 12-page lawsuit, obtained by ESPN, outlines alleged abuse across several states, including Louisiana and California.
The filing includes two specific rape allegations from 2020. The first allegedly occurred in September in Beverly Hills. According to the complaint, the woman told Williamson she was tired and wanted to sleep, but he responded that she could not sleep without having sex with him.
He then allegedly pinned her down, restrained her hands behind her back, and raped her. She further claims Williamson threw her phone and choked her after the assault.
A second incident allegedly happened in October 2020, also in Beverly Hills. The woman says she was “violently raped” after telling Williamson she intended to visit a friend in San Diego. In both incidents, she claims Williamson took her phone away “for a period of time.”
The complaint also accuses Williamson of strangling the woman to the point of unconsciousness on multiple occasions, threatening to kill her and her family, breaking into her apartment without consent, and stealing her belongings.
She is seeking monetary damages, including punitive damages for emotional distress, with a source telling ESPN the amount sought ranges from $18 million to $50 million.
Williamson’s attorneys, from Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver LLC, denied the allegations in a statement: “The allegations contained in the complaint are categorically false and reckless. … This appears to be an attempt to exploit a professional athlete driven by a financial motive rather than any legitimate grievance.” They claim the relationship was casual and consensual, ended years ago, and that the plaintiff never raised concerns at the time. They also allege Williamson reported the woman’s “extortion attempts” to law enforcement and intend to file a counterclaim.
The woman’s attorney, Sam Taylor II of the Lanier Law Firm, stated, “This is a very serious case,” and said his client “genuinely looks forward to her day in court … to seek justice.”
A spokesperson for the Pelicans declined to comment, deferring to Williamson’s legal team.