Judge dismisses defamation suit brought by Ray McDonald
A civil rights attorney announced Monday that the defamation lawsuit brought by former Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been dismissed by a Santa Clara Superior Court judge.
McDonald filed the suit in March against the woman who accused him of rape in December. Charges were not filed against McDonald.
Gloria Allred, who is representing the woman in the case, wrote the following on Monday:
“As a result of the Court's ruling today, NFL players and other celebrities should now understand that suing persons for defamation who allege to law enforcement that they are victims of crime by NFL players or others will be a losing strategy for the celebrity and that the celebrity will be punished by the courts for having filed the lawsuit against the person who made the accusation to the police.”
Added Allred, “We will now continue with the cross complaint which we filed on behalf of our client against Mr. McDonald alleging assault and battery, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment. In addition, the District Attorney of Santa Clara County has not yet made a decision as to whether or not Mr. McDonald will be prosecuted for what our client has alleged to the police that he has done to her.”
In November, McDonald was cleared following an investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident stemming from an August arrest at his home in San Jose, Calif.
• McDonald's ex-fiancee says he repeatedly attacked her
McDonald played 14 games with San Francisco last season. The 49ers released him in December, citing a “pattern of poor decision-making” that could “no longer be tolerated.”
“I feel like what I am doing is the right thing because I know that I am not this bad person that people are making me out to be,” McDonald told ESPN in March, before the defamation suit was filed. “I've been fired from my job. I know some teams don't even want to talk to me because of this past accusation. All I am trying to do is clear my name and move on with my life.”
The Bears signed McDonald in March, but the team released him in May after he was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment. McDonald was arrested again the same week for violating a restraining order.
He posted $20,000 total in bail for the two incidents and was released both times.
McDonald has played eight seasons in the NFL since being selected in the third round of the 2007 draft. The 30-year-old has recorded 19.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 210 tackles.
• FARRAR: Bears should be held accountable for signing McDonald
