Cristiano Ronaldo Back in the Spotlight in Alleged Las Vegas Sexual Assault Case

Article by : Erik Gibbs Oct 9, 2023

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Lawyers representing Kathryn Mayorga seek to reopen a civil lawsuit against soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, a charge he vehemently denies.

A former model, Mayorga, alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Cristiano Ronaldo in a Las Vegas hotel penthouse suite 15 years ago. Ronaldo strongly refuted her claims, even after photographs showed the two together at a nightclub.

Last year, a Las Vegas court dismissed her federal civil case against the Portuguese soccer star. Judge Jennifer Dorsey upheld the recommendation of a federal magistrate, citing severe attorney misconduct that would make it impossible for Ronaldo to receive a fair trial.

Dorsey stated that, due to Mayorga’s attorney’s misconduct and apparent evasion of the correct legal procedures, Mayorga had forfeited the chance to continue pursuing the case and seeking to invalidate the settlement, which contained significant allegations of a highly personal nature.

The case was dismissed with prejudice, preventing Mayorga from refiling her complaint. She alleged that she was coerced into signing a nondisclosure agreement and accepting a $375,000 settlement after the alleged assault, a claim that Ronaldo has consistently denied, asserting that the encounter was consensual.

Mayorga had requested the judge to void the agreement. However, lawyers seeking to revive her claim for damages were scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, October 4.

Her legal team is appealing to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the case’s dismissal and reopen the civil lawsuit initially filed in 2018.

They contend that previous efforts to present the confidentiality agreement she signed in 2010, after receiving money from the footballer as evidence, were continually and erroneously rejected by the judge.

In her civil case, Mayorga had sought $78 million in damages and costs. She alleged that the assault occurred at the Palms Casino Resort on June 13, 2009.

According to Mayorga, she met Ronaldo at Rain nightclub and was invited to his suite with others. After being given shorts and a T-shirt to change into in the bathroom before using the hot tub, she claimed that Ronaldo assaulted her when she requested to leave.

In 2018, Ronaldo strongly refuted the accusations, asserting that he denied the allegations against him and claimed that rape is a heinous crime that contradicts his principles and beliefs.

Following the filing of Mayorga’s lawsuit, the Las Vegas police reopened a rape investigation, but Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson decided in 2019 not to pursue criminal charges.