A New York state woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Mike Tyson, accusing the former boxing champion of raping her in a limousine in the early 1990s, according to court records.
The woman, who asked the court to remain anonymous, filed her complaint in early January under a temporary New York state law that allows sexual assault victims to seek civil damages regardless of the statute of limitations.
Tyson spent three years in prison starting in 1992, accused of raping model Desiree Washington, who was 18 at the time.
In a brief affidavit dated December 23, 2022, the plaintiff says she met the boxer at a nightclub “in the early 1990s” and followed him to his limousine, before raping her.
“I have suffered and continue to suffer physical, psychological and emotional injuries as a result of Tyson’s rape,” she said.
He is seeking $5 million in damages.
As of late Tuesday, Tyson had not made a public statement.
Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Tyson had a troubled childhood before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the 1980s, terrorizing opponents with his anger and tremendous punching power in the ring.
But after the prison sentence, he could not keep his titles.
In a famous 1996 bout, Tyson cut off part of his opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Trapped by depression and addiction, he continued to make headlines, especially in a one-man show where he described the many ups and downs in his life.
He recently entered the cannabis industry with his own brand of marijuana products and hosts a podcast.
AFP
