Key Takeaways
- Marcellus Wiley faces a new Los Angeles lawsuit from a woman who alleges the former NFL player raped her at a hotel near LAX in 1999, when she was a 22-year-old USC senior.
- The woman says she repeatedly told Wiley to stop, later reported the alleged assault and underwent an exam that documented bruising and Wiley’s semen, though prosecutors declined to file charges after he denied her claims.
- Wiley directed requests for comment to MenTooProject.org and has denied wrongdoing in other cases, while the latest complaint seeks compensatory and punitive damages amid several additional assault and abuse allegations.
Former NFL player and sports analyst Marcellus Wiley is facing another sexual assault lawsuit, this time involving allegations that he raped a University of Southern California student more than 25 years ago, the Los Angeles Times reports.
According to a lawsuit filed Tuesday (Oct. 27) in Los Angeles, a woman identified as Jane Doe accused Wiley of sexual battery, assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from an alleged incident in February 1999.
The woman claims she was a 22-year-old USC senior when she met Wiley, who was playing for the Buffalo Bills at the time. The two reportedly went on several dates, but she maintains that she made it clear she wasn't sexually active or interested in a romantic relationship.
According to the complaint, Wiley took her to a nightclub in downtown Los Angeles before bringing her to his hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. She claims she repeatedly told him she wasn't interested in having sex before falling asleep fully clothed.
The woman alleges she woke up to Wiley touching her without consent before he sexually assaulted her despite her repeated objections.
"Jane told Wiley to stop and repeated 'please stop' several times and told him, 'You're not listening to me,'" the lawsuit states.
The complaint also alleges Wiley commented on her trembling during the encounter, telling her, "Look at you ... keep shaking."
The following morning, Wiley allegedly drove the woman back to USC and told her he had "the clap," advising her to get tested.
The woman claims she reported the alleged assault to her supervisor at USC's Student Health Center and underwent a sexual assault examination that documented bruising and Wiley's semen. She also filed a police report.
However, prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges in April 1999 after Wiley denied the allegations, according to the complaint.
The woman is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
"This lawsuit marks the first step toward holding Marcellus Wiley accountable for his horrific abuse of our client," her attorney, Noah Werksman, said in a statement.
Wiley, 51, responded to a request for comment by directing attention to an advocacy website, writing, "Visit MenTooProject.org and join us in the fight for truth, fairness, and justice."
The lawsuit follows several other allegations against the former NFL defensive end. Four women filed lawsuits against Wiley earlier this year, adding to previous allegations involving his time at Columbia University. Wiley has denied wrongdoing in those cases.
His estranged wife, Annemarie Wiley, has also accused him of domestic violence and abuse in court filings.
Wiley was arrested in Florida in July following an alleged domestic battery incident, but prosecutors declined to pursue charges in August, citing insufficient evidence.
Wiley has not yet filed a formal response to the latest lawsuit.
