A man is accusing Jets outside linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin of attacking him at a New York-area nightclub earlier this year, according to Larry Celona, Paul Schwartz and Bruce Golding of the New York Post.
The alleged attack occurred on the morning of April 2, and the man, 22-year-old Jean Lopez, has filed a lawsuit against Mauldin and another man he attests was responsible for the attack. The suit alleges Mauldin attacked Lopez after the victim spilled champagne on the linebacker. Lopez, whom the Post reports stands 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, underwent facial surgery to repair multiple fractures. The 24-year-old Mauldin, who was a third-round Jets pick in 2015, is 6-4 and weighs 259 pounds.
The Jets are aware of the situation, the Post reports. Mauldin has started four games for the Jets during his two-season tenure.
Lopez’s lawyer, Glenn Race, said Mauldin punched Lopez “without provocation.” Lopez said he was punched twice during the attack. No charges were filed at the time after Lopez couldn’t identify the attacker, the Post reports, adding that Mauldin’s lawyer said this suit is “without merit.”
“Another individual struck the plaintiff,” defense attorney Mitchell Schuster told the Post, “and that will be borne out by the witnesses and other parties involved. We have a very strong case and I look forward to pursuing it. Lorenzo’s anxious to being exonerated. He was not involved.”
Is it just me or are reports like this against players becoming an everyday thing now? It seems that every day someone is accusing someone new. The fact that it is becoming so common is unfortunate because now the people who have actually been assaulted by an athlete in any way will have a harder time in court because of the many fake claims. I am afraid that it is going to turn into the boy who cried wolf. I don’t know if this instance actually happened or not but it is becoming too common for my liking
Well with cell phone videos and people so sue crazy it won’t ever stop everyone wants that quick buck with out doing anything that’s the world we live in unfortunately
Most of these end up being substantiated, though.
I honestly DO NOT know which side to take on this one.