UFC star Conor McGregor was sued Tuesday over sexual assault allegations stemming from an incident in the bathroom of the Kaseya Center during a Miami Heat 2023 NBA Finals game.
The woman, described as a 49-year-old senior vice president at a Wall Street financial firm, alleged that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom in Miami during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023.
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Conor McGregor is present during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on June 9, 2023 in Miami. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
His attorney, James Dunn, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
“My client has thought long and hard about the decision to pursue this civil action and fears the effects it could have on her work on Wall Street,” Dunn said. “Nevertheless, her primary goal in filing this complaint is to raise awareness and encourage others to report sexual assault.”
Prosecutors said in October 2023 that McGregor would not face criminal charges for the alleged incident.
Barbara Llanes, McGregor’s lawyer, spoke about the retrial in a statement to Irish Legal News.
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Conor McGregor is seen on the court during a timeout during Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on June 9, 2023 in Miami. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“After a thorough investigation conducted at the time, the district attorney concluded that there was no case to pursue,” she said. “Nearly two years and at least three lawyers later, the plaintiff has a new false story. We are confident that this case will also be dismissed.”
The lawsuit alleged that arena staff and security “had actual knowledge of the unlawful nature of the conduct” and failed to adequately protect her. The suit also accuses staff of over-serving McGregor despite his “chargeable knowledge of an increased risk of battery.”
McGregor was at the game to promote a painkiller product. He punched the Heat’s mascot, Burnie, and attempted to “pulverize” the character as he was about to be kicked off the court.
The woman alleged she was led into the men’s restroom by someone from McGregor’s entourage and the assault took place.
Conor McGregor punches Burnie, the Miami Heat mascot, during a break during Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets, Friday, June 9, 2023 in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
A Heat spokesperson told The Associated Press that the team does not comment on litigation.
