Rape lawsuit against Cristiano Ronaldo in Las Vegas dismissed by a judge

Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo rests against a goalpost at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester. (Photo: AP Photo/Jon Super, File)

A Nevada woman lost her US court quest to compel football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to pay her millions more than the £302,000 ($375,000) in hush money she received in 2009 after alleging he raped her in Las Vegas.

Friday night, a judge in Las Vegas dismissed the lawsuit to penalize the woman's attorney for bad faith conduct and the use of stolen confidential documents.

The legal team for Manchester United and Portugal player Ronaldo does not dispute that the two had sexual contact but insists it was voluntary. A confidentiality agreement forbids either party from discussing it.

US district judge Jennifer Dorsey stated that the behavior of the woman's attorney Leslie Mark Stovall and his use of "stolen" confidential documents had irreparably stained the case.

Ms. Dorsey stated in her 42-page judgment that dismissing a lawsuit without the ability to refile it is a severe consequence, but she said that Mr. Stovall's behavior had injured Ronaldo.

In her decision, she wrote, "I find that the procurement and continued use of these documents were in bad faith, and simply disqualifying Stovall will not remedy the prejudice to Ronaldo because the misappropriated documents and their confidential contents were woven into the very fabric of Mayorga's claims.

"Harsh punishments are warranted."

The legal team for Ms. Mayorga has the option to challenge the ruling at the ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The woman had previously authorized the release of her name through her legal counsel.

Publish : 2022-06-12 07:12:00

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