Conor McGregor is facing a new civil lawsuit by a woman accusing him of sexual assault in a VIP bathroom during the 2023 NBA finals in Miami.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the US district court for the southern district of Florida, and it also names the Miami Heat and Basketball Properties, which operated the Kaseya Centre, as defendants.
The woman, a 49-year-old Wall Street vice president, alleges McGregor, 36, led her into a restroom stall and sexually assaulted her after an associate forcibly took her to McGregor.
The lawsuit claims that McGregor, a UFC fighter, was served alcohol by arena staff despite being visibly intoxicated, and it accuses the Kaseya Centre of gross negligence for failing to ensure a safe environment.
It also highlights an earlier incident the same night, where McGregor punched the Miami Heat mascot, Burnie, during a half-time skit, resulting in the mascot needing to go to hospital. Despite this, arena staff allegedly continued serving alcohol to McGregor.
The alleged sexual assault incident was initially reported to Miami police on 11 June 2023, however in October 2023, the Florida state attorney’s office declined to pursue criminal charges.
The new lawsuit seeks compensatory damages exceeding $75,000, medical expenses and other relief.
McGregor has denied the allegations, saying they are a “shakedown”.
His attorney, Barbara Llanes, released a statement to ESPN, saying: “Almost two years and at least three lawyers later the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case too will be dismissed.”
The woman’s attorney, Jim Dunn, released a statement after the civil lawsuit was filed, which read: “My client has thought long and hard about the decision to pursue this civil case, and is fearful of the effect it may have on her job on Wall Street.”
“Nonetheless, her main goal in filing this suit is to raise awareness and encourage others to report sexual assault.”
In a civil court case last year, McGregor was found to have sexually assaulted Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape in a Dublin hotel in 2018. McGregor was ordered by an Irish court to pay $264,000 in damages to Hand.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.