According to the attorney of the woman who has accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of rape, her client was also raped by a basketball player while he was playing at Duke University.
The accuser, Meredith Watson, also attended Duke and claims she was raped by a Blue Devils player during her sophomore year at the school in 1999, her lawyer Nancy Erika Smith told The New York Times.
After speaking with one of her friends and viewing Facebook messages about the alleged incident, The Times has identified that player as former NBA star Corey Maggette.
Maggette, a 14-year NBA veteran who is now a freelance basketball analyst on Fox Sports West, denied the allegation.
“It has only been through media accounts and a statement from Meredith Watson’s lawyer that I first learned or heard of anything about these sexual assault allegations,” he said in a statement. “I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my life and I completely and categorically deny any such charge.”
Though she reported the sex crime to school officials, Watson said her claims were not pursued by the university and that a dean “discouraged her from pursuing the claim further,” according to Smith.
That may have been the case at the time, but the school claims it is looking into the matter now.
“We are in the process of gathering information to determine what policies and procedures were in place during the time period in which these events are alleged to have occurred, and whether they were activated and followed,” said Duke spokesman Michael Schoenfeld. “We are not able to provide further information or comment on any individual at this time.”
Before Maggette’s name was revealed, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke about the allegation a Blue Devils player had committed rape 20 years ago.
“I think there was an allegation made, right?” Krzyzewski told reporters on Saturday. “So, I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but there is an allegation. I did not find out about until late [Friday] night. I had no knowledge. That [allegation] is hugely important, and our university will take care of whatever actions and give whatever information that is needed.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
