A woman accused Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis of rape in New York last year, the New York Post reported on Saturday.
The woman, who is in her 20s and reportedly lived in the same building as Porzingis in New York, told police about the alleged attack on Thursday. She said she waited more than a year to come forward to authorities because she had discussed receiving $68,000 from Porzingis to remain quiet. The New York Police Department launched a probe into the matter. A source inside the NYPD told the Post that the woman's story is "believeable."
At the time of the alleged incident, Porzingis was playing for the New York Knicks. The Knicks were reportedly aware of the allegations when they traded Porzingis to Dallas in January. Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban said that the team knew about the situation, as well, but federal authorities have instructed them not to comment, per ESPN. A league spokesman told ESPN that the NBA is also aware.
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Porzingis has "unequivocally" denied the allegation and the Post reports that Porzingis' lawyer said the FBI is investigating the accuser's "extortionate demands."
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