Top 2015 NFL draft pick Jameis Winston recently counter-sued the woman who accused him of rape, saying she attempted to extort him and tarnish his reputation.
Former Florida State University student Erica Kinsman filed a lawsuit last month against the university's star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, alleging he raped her in 2012 after a night out drinking with friends in Tallahassee. In her lawsuit, she accused Winston of sexual battery, assault, and false imprisonment.
In his countersuit filed Friday, Winston asked for a jury trial and claimed that Kinsman created a "media circus" and lied about their consensual sexual encounter in order to ruin his imagine and demand $7 million. The counterclaim states Winston is the one who suffered, claiming Kinsman is guilty of defamation for repeatedly accusing him of "committing a crime that he did not commit."
Both the university and Tallahassee police investigated Kinsman's allegations. Each agency cleared Winston, though their investigations came under wide scrutiny and were criticized for their handling the process.
"Ms. Kinsman has been successful In one major area. She has mounted a false and vicious media campaign to vilify Mr. Winston with the objective of getting him to pay her to go away," the lawsuit reads. "Ms. Kinsman is motivated by the most insidious objectives – greed."
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Winston as the first pick the NFL draft about two weeks ago. He signed a four-year, $23.35 million contract with the team, according to the Associated Press. The counterclaim alleges that Kinsman was aware Winston "was likely to earn substantial amount of money in salary, bonuses, and endorsements as a professional NFL player."
"This is an interesting choice by Mr. Winston," Kinsman's attorney, John Clune said according to the Associated Press. "The counterclaims put all of his prior misconduct front and center in the case by alleging injury to his 'good reputation' and the burden of proof is now on him. Refusing to answer questions isn't going to work here. I'm not sure how well this will end up for him."
