Additional details have emerged following NBA superstar James Harden’s name coming up as a defendant in a concerning lawsuit.
A woman has filed legal documents accusing the Los Angeles Clippers guard of negligence based on the action, or inaction, of his security team during a New Year’s Eve party at his house in Houston last year.
According to the suit, one Marisa Watley was sexually assaulted by Harden’s nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn, while she was unconscious. She is seeking a jury trial but is also after economic, compensatory, and punitive damages.
“Ms. Watley has shown great strength and courage in coming forward to hold Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden accountable for what happened to her on New Year’s Day in Mr. Harden’s mansion,” her lawyers said in a statement. “This rape was immediately reported to the police, and we will bring Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Harden to justice through the civil justice system.”
James Harden Named As A Defendant
Legal documents claim that two of Harden’s security staff removed Watley’s two friends from his house while she remained inside. Her friends later reached out to her sister, who then contacted Harden’s sister, Blackburn’s mother, for help because they were concerned for her safety.
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Harden’s sister is said to have sent Watley’s photo to security to confirm that she was still at the residence, but they said she was not inside. Per the suit, she was still there at the time.
The complaint notes that James Harden’s security staffers did not show any urgency in trying to locate the alleged victim and could have prevented her from being raped. It also states that the NBA player is “vicariously liable” for the failures of his security team, naming him as a defendant.
“Since New Year’s Day, when I reported the rape by Mr. Blackburn to the police, I have remained puzzled by how Mr. Harden’s security behaved that day — it is painful to imagine that this all could have been stopped in time. I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger,” a statement from Watley reads.
Harden, an 11-time NBA All-Star who was the MVP in 2018 while with the Houston Rockets, has not responded to the claims.
Also Read: VIDEO: James Harden Has A Savage Response To Fan Yelling “Win A Championship!” Goes Viral
