Yardbarker
x
Yasiel Puig files countersuit in sexual assault case
Former Cleveland Indians right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) looks on from the dugout against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Progressive Field.  Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Yasiel Puig was sued by a woman last year who claims the former MLB star sexually assaulted her at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2018, but Puig has vehemently denied the allegations. He has now filed a counterclaim against the accuser.

Puig is suing the woman who accused him of sexual assault, according to court documents obtained by Radar Online. Puig, who is currently playing in the Mexican League, has said publicly that he had consensual sex with the woman in a private bathroom at Staples Center. His counterclaim accuses the woman of defamation and slander.

The reported victim said she did not know Puig, but Puig says the woman is the one who approached him.

“JANE ROE initiated communications with PUIG, both electronically and in person. She approached him, she messaged him on Instagram, sent him photos of herself, and sent him her phone number,” Puig’s attorney said in the countersuit.

Prior to filing the countersuit, Puig filed a formal response to the allegations in court. He is seeking for the claims to be dismissed.

Puig claims the woman approached him at the Lakers game after contacting him before.

“Although she now claims she was sexually assaulted, she did not make any such claims on the night in question, never made such claims to him in the months that followed, never contacted Staples Center security on that night or at any time thereafter, and never contacted the police on the night in question or any time thereafter. However, beginning in the summer of 2019, approximately eight months after the sexual encounter, she began demanding money from PUIG,” the counterclaim states.

Puig says the woman chose to make the sexual assault allegations against him after he refused to pay her. He is suing her for $10 million in damages.

The reported victim made detailed allegations against Puig in her lawsuit, but the 30-year-old insists he can prove his innocence.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.