Former Seattle Supersonics’ star and Hall-of-Fame point guard Gary Payton has been suspended indefinitely from Fox Sports 1 amid allegations he assaulted a woman after an event in January.
According to the lawsuit, which was obtained by TMZ, the alleged victim – Trishtan Williams – says the incident occurred after an awards show she attended with Payton in Seattle. Williams claims he attacked her, unprovoked, three separate times that evening: once at a bar, later inside the car they left in, and again back at their hotel.
Williams has apparently hired famed women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred to handle the case.
Payton and his camp, of course, are claiming the lawsuit is unsubstantiated and that Williams is simply trying to benefit financially from the situation. Here’s what Payton’s agent Aaron Goodwin told TMZ Sports about the lawsuit:
“[Williams has] no physical evidence to substantiate these claims.”
“Unfortunately, with the climate of claims against athletes for monetary gains, Mr. Payton is just another victim and will fight this frivolous lawsuit.”
Payton remains on suspension from Fox Sports 1 while they conduct an internal investigation into the incident. Here’s the statement they released to Awful Announcing regarding the situation:
“Regardless of the circumstance, domestic violence is abhorrent and inexcusable and Fox takes these accusations very seriously. As soon as we were made aware of the claim, we began an internal investigation. Mr. Payton was suspended immediately pending the completion of the investigation. Out of respect for both parties we will not be making any additional statements.”
(via TMZ; h/t to The Washington Post)
