Zion Williamson calls accuser relationship 'friends with benefits' in court filing
In a new Los Angeles court document, the Pelicans star denies every allegation in a rape and abuse lawsuit, describing the relationship as consensual and infrequent.
What to know
- Williamson's legal team filed a formal denial in LA County Superior Court, calling the relationship a consensual 'friends with benefits' arrangement rather than the abusive relationship alleged by Jane Doe.
- The filing argues the statute of limitations has expired on all claims and that California laws on domestic violence and stalking don't apply since alleged incidents occurred in North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana.
- No criminal charges have been filed against Williamson; the case is a civil suit seeking $18–50 million in damages, and his attorney says he plans a counterclaim alleging extortion.
- Online reaction is split between doubting the accuser's motives and defending her right to have withdrawn consent, with no clear consensus on credibility.
The dispute Whether the lawsuit reflects genuine abuse or a financially motivated attempt to exploit a wealthy athlete. · positions read across 12 posts and comments
The accuser is likely lying for money, exploiting Williamson's fame and wealth.
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“once in awhile, one of the hotties they fuck decide it’s time to cash in by accusing them of rape. The goal is private settlement with the threat of media exposure if the athletes don’t give them a couple hundred thousand.”
matabang_king · r/nba ↗
Consent can be withdrawn regardless of a woman's reputation or the player's status, and dismissing accusers as gold-diggers is unfair.
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“they’re still capable of withdrawing consent, of not wanting to be choked, of saying no to anal or gangbangs midway through the act.”
dothfade_ · r/nba ↗
It's impossible to know the truth; either party could be lying or acting in bad faith.
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“I am 50% that it's he's guilty, 50% that it's her realizing that the ship has sailed and bringing this forth in some kind of bad faith. If you tell me you have any better insight than that you're a fool.”
alilhillbilly · r/nba ↗
“While these allegations are false, we recognize the seriousness of the claims and welcome the opportunity to prove the truth in court”
Williamson's attorney, defense counsel · Sporting News (via TMZ) ↗ · Sep 22
Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans forwardJane Doe Unnamed accuserWilliamson's attorney Defense counsel for Zion Williamson
How it unfolded 3 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments
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3
Filing details statute-of-limitations defense and plaintiff's motive
The LA Times obtained the underlying court document, showing Williamson's team argues the claims are time-barred, that California law doesn't apply since alleged conduct occurred in North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana, and that the plaintiff herself ended the relationship over his focus on basketball and fatherhood.
“All interaction among and between the Plaintiff and Defendant was pleasant and entirely consensual, with the Plaintiff initiating and communicating her desire to be intimate with the Defendant…”
— Zion Williamson's court filing -
first by Sporting News, 15h ago · also Yahoo Sports, LA Times
2 more headlines
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People usually settle out of court for two reasons: it is cheaper than paying a good lawyer for the length of the case or they want the distraction to end. But sure, just assume he's guilty after the criminal case was literally dropped due to lack of evidence. "I can now understand why she felt the encounter wasn't consensual" You are the 100000th…
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Online debate splits over credibility of denial and accuser
Reddit commenters divided between skepticism of the accuser's motives, defense of her right to withdraw consent regardless of lifestyle, and agnosticism about who is telling the truth.
“i’m not judging Zion on his own. i’m judging the way people immediately believe it’s lies and gold-digging.”
— dothfade_ -
I don't disagree with anything you've said here. I do not blanket believe professional athletes nor do I automatically believe women. They're both humans and humans lie constantly. They both might be lying here. The idea that you think I think all professional athletes are angels is laughable. I am 50% that it's he's guilty, 50% that it's her…
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
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i’ve seen this argument a hundred times. i don’t care how many of you have seen how professionals and IG girls move. they’re still capable of withdrawing consent, of not wanting to be choked, of saying no to anal or gangbangs midway through the act. i’m not judging Zion on his own. i’m judging the way people immediately believe it’s lies and…
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Lmao, "thank god the California laws for the things I'm accused of don't apply to where they allegedly happened - but I didn't to them either of course!"
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Williamson denies allegations, cites 'friends with benefits' arrangement
TMZ obtained legal documents in which Williamson issued a general denial of every allegation, claiming the relationship was consensual, that the two never lived together, and that their interactions were 'pleasant and consensual.'
“friends with benefits…”
— Zion Williamson's legal filing -
Why are they idiots? Should they stay virgins? Be in your twenties, have every women dripping wet to be with you, have tens of millions in the bank but yeah, they should go to church and play with their Xbox for fun. Or you know, they fuck the hotties that dm them… and once in awhile, one of the hotties they fuck decide it’s time to cash in by…
2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch
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Youre conflating at-will employees and collective bargained/union contract employees, where the NBA players are the latter. If you have a union-backed contract job, you can bet your ass theyre gonna wait until the verdict. At will employees get fired because their contributions and the consequences of their firing dont overcome the optics. Optics…
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You know that she had 3 guys’ semen in her vsgina when they did the rape test, right? But yeah, she didn’t want Kobe Bryant to fuck her. She must have pushed back because she’s a Christian prude.
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background
Accuser files second amended complaint — A second amended complaint was filed listing causes of action including assault, battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, domestic violence and stalking; earlier claims of false imprisonment and conversion were dropped.
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background
Jane Doe sues Williamson alleging rape and abuse — An unnamed woman filed a civil suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging Williamson raped her twice in 2020, strangled her into unconsciousness multiple times, and threatened her with a firearm during a relationship that ran from 2018 to 2023.
What people are saying 5 voices from 1 site · best of 12 · verbatim
- Why hasn't Williamson faced any criminal charges despite the severity of the allegations?
- Does the location of alleged incidents in Louisiana and Texas actually shield him from California's domestic violence statutes?
- Yesterday
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That’s because Reddit isn’t a court of law. A random person doesn’t have to think someone is innocent until proven guilty.
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nah irl Saul Goodman is Brian Steel and he's busy beating murder charges and rico cases for famous rappers.
- Sep 22
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Big appetite for food and others stuff. At least eating other stuff don't make you fat and put you offside at weigh ins.
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he exploded a shoe with sheer force in front of obama. i just knew he was gonna be top 10 all time
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You can't use video to prove you didn't do something unless the accusation was based on a specific time that was recorded.