Zion Williamson Seeks Dismissal Of Rape & Abuse Lawsuit

Zion Williamson is asking a judge to throw out the lawsuit accusing him of rape and years of abuse, arguing that his relationship with the woman suing him was consensual and never involved violence. In newly filed court documents obtained by TMZ, the New Orleans Pelicans star issued a general denial of the allegations and described his relationship with the unidentified woman as “friends with benefits.” He said they never lived together and characterized their interactions as “pleasant and consensual.”

The woman, identified as Jane Doe, sued Williamson in May 2025 and accused him of rape, sexual battery, and a broader pattern of abuse between 2020 and 2023. According to the original complaint, which was also reviewed by ESPN, she alleged that Williamson raped her twice in Beverly Hills in 2020 and later subjected her to physical violence and controlling behavior. Williamson has denied those claims from the beginning, calling them “categorically false and reckless.”

His latest response does more than reject the allegations. TMZ reports that Williamson argues several of Doe’s claims are barred by statutes of limitations and contends that California laws covering sexual battery, domestic violence, and stalking cannot be applied to alleged conduct she says occurred in North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana.

Williamson also disputes Doe’s characterization of their relationship as domestic. He calls that claim “nonsensical,” arguing that they neither lived together nor interacted frequently enough to meet that definition. He maintains that no misconduct occurred in California or anywhere else.

Doe’s lawsuit seeks monetary and punitive damages. Her attorney previously told TMZ that she looks forward to presenting her case in court. Williamson’s attorneys, meanwhile, have accused her of attempting to extort him and previously said the matter had been reported to law enforcement. Williamson is now asking the court to dismiss the civil case in its entirety.