The New York Post is reporting former Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis is being investigated for sexual assault.

Tina Moore in the New York Post has reported that former Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis is being investigated by the NYPD for rape. The unidentified woman claims Porzingis assaulted her on February 7th, 2018—the same night the Latvian-born star suffered a season-ending ACL tear for the Knicks.

The Post adds the victim was promised payment from Porzingis and waited to tell law enforcement due to the basketball player’s as of now unsubstantiated commitment for out-of-court compensation.

The woman told cops she waited over a year to talk to police because Porzingis allegedly promised to give her money to keep her quiet, the sources said.

She told cops Porzingis promised to give her $68,000 to pay for her brother’s college tuition, but then reneged, the sources said. (per New York Post)

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is quoted in the Post saying federal authorities instructed the organization not to comment.

Kristaps Porzingis was traded by the Knicks on January 31st to Dallas and did not appear in uniform for New York since last February, the same date the victim alleges she allowed the 7-3 Porzingis into her apartment—the same building as Porzingis—who then assaulted her.

The Daily News reports that the victim is alleging Porzingis held her down and puncher her “several times in the face” proceeding the nonconsensual sex act.

The case is being handled by the NYPD’s Special Victims Division, per the Post and the sensitive matter is still under investigation.

Porzingis’ allegation comes 13 months after Sports Illustrated broke a story detailing rampant workplace sexual harassment within the Dallas Mavericks organization. The story broke the same month as the victim alleges her assault by Porzingis occurred.

A new story from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski paints more details about the assault and relationship between Porzingis and the victim, who was his neighbor.

ESPN reports the woman sought a intimidate relationship with Porzingis in the months following the assault and had discussed with the Knicks a payment of $68,000 and had a written note for Porzingis agreeing to the compensation. ESPN also documents text messages exchanged between the parties and the victim photographing herself alleging physical damage from the February 7th early morning encounter.

In her correspondence with the Knicks, the woman included a photograph that she said showed hair loss and broken nose cartilage, “from when he repeatedly hit me.” Several days after the alleged encounter, the woman wrote that she had to pay “about $10,000” for corrective surgery. (ESPN.com)

 

UPDATE: 8:25 p.m. ET.

The Post‘s Marc Berman quotes Porzingis’ representation who claim the victim was referred to law enforcement following “extortionate demands.”

UPDATE: 8:35 p.m. ET.

ESPN has more from Porzingis’ attorney, Roland G. Riopelle:

“We are aware of the complaint that was made against Mr. Porzingis on Friday and unequivocally deny the allegations,” Riopelle said. “We made a formal referral to federal law enforcement on December 20th, 2018, based on the accuser’s extortionate demands. We also alerted the National Basketball Association months ago and they are aware of the ongoing investigation of the accuser by federal law enforcement. We cannot comment further on an ongoing federal investigation. Please refer any questions to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the National Basketball Association.” (via ESPN.com)

UPDATE: 8:57 p.m. ET.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting the pending sexual-assault investigation was disclosed between the Knicks and Mavs during the two team’s trade call in January.

UPDATE: 10:50 p.m. ET.

Riopelle, Porzingis’ attorney, is quoted in the Daily News saying “All sex was consensual.” Riopelle went on to propose the victim is trying to extort payment from the NBA player.

“Before we went to law enforcement, we did a very extensive investigation of this allegation,” Riopelle told the News. “This was trying to extort money from Kris. She spent months trying to get money out of the guy.” (Daily News)

UPDATE: 11:05 p.m. ET.

TMZ reports the victim told authorities Porzingis spat on her and more, violent slurs along with the alleged rape.

UPDATE: 5:06 p.m. ET 3/31.

Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News reports the Knicks did not inform the Mavs of any rape accusations and, instead, the word “extortion” was used prior to the transaction completed between the two teams in January 2019, which sent Porzingis to Dallas.

UPDATE: 7:23 p.m. ET 3/31.

A statement from NBPA president Michele Roberts via the Post‘s Marc Berman:

UPDATE: 1:19 p.m. ET 4/1.

Porzingis’ lawyer makes a statement saying his client will comply with the New York district attorney, per Wojnarowski:

 

The story is still developing. More information will be provided when available.

UPDATE: Language in this story was amended to clear any discrepancy in the process of this investigation. Currently this case is not in trial and the NYPD is investigating the matter.

SECOND UPDATE: More information from the victim and Kristaps Porzingis’ legal counsel was added to reflect details as presently available.

THIRD UPDATE: Details from ESPN’s Monday story about the victim and Porzingis were added to this article. There is more information available there.

[NY Post]

 

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