Jameis Winston is sued over alleged sexual assault

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Former Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston is being sued by a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in December 2012, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

The woman -- Erica Kinsman -- on Thursday filed a lawsuit in Florida against Winston alleging sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and "intentional infliction of emotional distress arising out of forcible rape," according to the paper.

48 Hours' Crimesider has declined to name Kinsman in the past due to the allegations she was a victim of sexual assault, but has decided to name her now since she filed a public lawsuit.

In addition, Kinsman allowed herself to be identified in the documentary film "The Hunting Ground" about college sexual assault, released this winter.

Kinsman's attorney, John Clune, released a statement Thursday saying his client has endured "a delinquent police investigation, a hostile FSU [Florida State University] athletic department, and Mr. Winston's bullying lawyer."

"But the more these forces sought to silence her, the more determined she has become to step forward and hold Jameis Winston accountable for his actions."

Kinsman filed a lawsuit earlier this year against FSU trustees, alleging the school violated her Title IX rights by failing to properly investigate the alleged sexual assault. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits education discrimination based on sex.

The sexual assault allegation against Winston stemmed from an incident in December 2012. The woman, who was also a student at FSU at the time, told police she had been drinking at a bar with friends before going home with a man she didn't know. She said the alleged assault took place at an off-campus apartment, but she couldn't remember where it was.

A month later, she identified her alleged attacker as Winston. The case came to media attention nearly a year later when allegations that Tallahassee Police slow-footed the investigation came to light.

The star quarterback has maintained the sex was consensual and in December 2013, the state's attorney decided not to press charges against Winston, citing lack of evidence. FSU later determined there was not enough evidence to indicate that Winston violated the school's student code of conduct.

FSU has defended its handling of the Winston case, saying in October of last year that as soon as they learned the alleged rape occurred off-campus, school officials contacted the Tallahassee Police Department who then took over the case.

Winston, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2013, is expected to be a top pick in the NFL draft set to take place in two weeks.

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