Jameis Winston claims that the woman who accused him of rape demanded $7 million to buy her silence.
David Cornwell, the lawyer for the Heisman Trophy winner, sent a letter to Florida State University, according to TMZ Sports, saying Winston will cooperate with the school’s ongoing investigation into the handling of the rape charges. The alleged victim claims Florida State engaged in sexual discrimination by dismissing her claims to protect its star athlete.
According to the letter — obtained by TMZ Sports — the alleged victim’s lawyer, Patricia Carroll, demanded the $7 million to settle her client’s claims against FSU and Winston, telling Cornwell, “If we settle, you will never hear from my client or me again — in the press or anywhere.”
Cornwell says he rejected her offer and four days later she went to the media.
Cornwell also says Carroll claimed her client’s sexual encounter had to be rape because she would never sleep with a “black boy.” Turns out, according to TMZ Sports, the alleged victim’s boyfriend at the time was Black. The criminal case fell apart, partly because the alleged victim had semen from two different men on her shorts.
Cornwell ends his letter to FSU by saying, “Mr. Winston will cooperate with the Investigation. He looks forward to clearing his name. But Mr. Winston will not walk into a honey trap. The Investigation must be a legitimate investigation.”
