Junior Galette’s Accuser Files Civil Suit Against Saints LB
Remember when New Orleans Saints LB Junior Galette was arrested in early January on misdemeanor domestic violence and simple battery charges? Well, after a quiet month, the story has finally resurfaced.
Galette’s alleged victim has decided to file a civil suit against him in Jefferson Parish, according to NOLA.com. The suit makes some pretty harsh claims that include beating, drugging and sexual abuse.
Can confirm #Saints' Junior Galette is being sued in civil court in Jefferson Parish by woman accusing him of assault in early January.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) February 19, 2015
The woman is also claiming that she and Galette have been in an abusive two-year relationship and that he and an unnamed Saints player groped her while other team members watched during a party at the linebacker’s home.
Lawsuit: An unnamed Saints player participated in sexual battery of alleged victim and that 5 unnamed teammates were witnesses.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) February 19, 2015
Alleged victim claims Galette gave her 'horny juice' which made her unconsicious at that time she was touched and penetrated @FOX8NOLA
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) February 19, 2015
Galette’s attorney, Ralph Whalen is calling the suit a shakedown attempt that is ‘filled with lies’ after the woman and and her lawyer Joseph Raspanti looked to seek a $2 million settlement that was rejected that was shown in a portion of a letter from Raspanti released by Whalen.
Statement by Whalen:
“The person who falsely accused Junior has retained a lawyer and requested in writing an outrageous $2 million shakedown or they threatened to file this lawsuit that is filled with lies. This is a shakedown. We unequivocally rejected their offer because we are confident an investigation and a full hearing of the facts will reveal that Junior Galette behaved appropriately and will be cleared.”
Junior Galette's attorney says lawsuit is shakedown attempt http://t.co/QiM7TBKHNO
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) February 19, 2015
Raspanti released a statement demonstrating his anger towards the release of the letter:
“In any civil lawsuit, all settlement negotiations, especially ones that are explicitly deemed as confidential, clearly should not be discussed to public. I am saddened that this attorney (Whalen) would stoop to such a conduct in an attempt to distort the true issue here, which is domestic violence.”
Attorney for accuser in Junior Galette case said he's never been contacted by NFL as part of an investigation. Neither has alleged victim.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) February 19, 2015
#Saints have no comment on the civil suit filed against Junior Galette, via @GregBensel
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) February 19, 2015
According to NOLA.com, Raspanti (accuser’s attorney) said that the NFL has yet to reach out to their side involving the case. According to the Saints Senior VP of Communications and Broadcasting Greg Bensel, the team has no comments at this time. As the mess involving New Orleans’ leading pass rusher unfolds, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date, Who Dat Nation.