Former Detroit Pistons player Josh Jackson, #20.Photo:Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images
Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images
Former NBA player Josh Jackson has been accused of raping and then threatening a woman in New York City last year, according to a new lawsuit.
The former Phoenix Suns power forward is accused of using “his position of notoriety to gain access to [the woman and] to engage in unlawful sexual contact with the [woman] without her consent,” according to a June 12 filing.
Josh Jackson plays for the Sacramento Kings against the Phoenix Suns in April 2022.Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
The defendant claims she fell asleep in the hotel room and later woke up to Jackson “ripping and pulling her clothes off and climbing on top of her” before exposing himself and forcing himself on her, according to the filing.
The documents claim Jackson “overpowered [her] and held down both of [her] hands as he penetrated her…and raped her” while she cried. She then “fainted, passing out from the trauma.”
After leaving the hotel room, she claims she received several threatening texts from friends of Jackson accusing her of stealing the basketball player’s watch, which she denied. One person threatened that Jackson had “money to blow” and would “hire goons” to come after her, according to the filing.
The New York Edition Hotel.Getty Images
Getty Images
According to a June 28 filing, Jackson “emphatically denies any sexual assault,” and opposed the defendant’s motion to remain anonymous, claiming “she maintains a provocative and sexualized social media presence.”
In his reply, Jackson also claimed that the defendant’s true desire was “publicly humiliating” the athlete, who his lawyer called a “target for anyone” given his identity as a public figure.
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In a statement to theKansas City Star, Jackson’s attorney, John Lauro said, “Mr. Jackson will vigorously contest these allegations in court and looks forward to the truth being fully told.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
