Jameis Winston's accuser files lawsuit against him

The woman who accused Jameis Winston of sexual assault in December 2012 has filed a lawsuit against the quarterback
Jameis Winston's accuser files lawsuit against him
Jameis Winston's accuser files lawsuit against him /

The woman who accused former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston of sexual assault in December 2012 has filed a lawsuit against Winston, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

According to the Times, the lawsuit is over claims of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and "intentional infliction of emotional distress arising out of forcible rape." It was filed Thursday in the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial District.

The accusers's attorney provided a statement to the Times, calling Winston "an entitled athlete who believes he can take what he wants." From the statement:

"Over the past two years, this survivor of sexual violence has had to endure a delinquent police investigation, a hostile FSU athletic department, and Mr. Winston's bullying lawyer. But the more these forces sought to silence her, the more determined she has become to step forward and hold Jameis Winston accountable for his actions. With the support of her family, she is prepared for this fight and for the counterclaims and the smear campaigns that will surely follow."

The accuser previously filed a federal civil lawsuit against Florida State university trustees in January. 

Winston was accused of sexual assault in December 2012. No charges were filed, but in November 2013, the state's attorney announced that it was opening an investigation into the accusation. The investigation was completed a month later, and again no charges were filed. 

The quarterback faced a Student Code of Conduct case at FSU in December to determine if he violated up to four school student conduct codes. Winston was cleared by an arbitrator after a two-day hearing, which included Winston reading a five-page statement denying the allegations against him. It was the first time he publicly gave his side of the story regarding the allegations. 

In October, a Fox Sports report based on its own investigation of the case alleged that FSU administrators and Tallahassee police took steps to "hide and then hinder" the Winston investigation.

The accuser discusses her allegations against Winston in The Hunting Ground, a documentary that premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival.

Winston could be drafted No. 1 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the upcoming NFL draft, which begins on April 30.

- Molly Geary


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