According to his own lawyer, Shannon Sharpe offered his accuser “at least $10 million” to settle before she filed a civil lawsuit against him. The lawsuit, which claims Sharpe sexual assaulted a woman identified as Gabriella Zuniga, is reportedly seeking over $50 million in damages.
Multiple media outlets now report that Shannon Sharpe’s lawyer, Lanny J. Davis, said he was in the midst of a mediation with Zuniga to make the allegations go away when she filed the lawsuit “without warning.” His accuser’s lawyer corroborated that the $10 million offer was made.
“It was a big surprise to us a few days ago when this case was filed,” Davis said. He also added that Sharpe’s accuser “took advantage” of his “very lucrative” new contract for his Shay Shay Media Network, estimated to be worth more than $100 million.
“Her knowledge that Mr. Sharpe’s about to receive a very lucrative contract,” Davis said. “She knew that took advantage of it and I describe this in my opinion that this is a classic definition of blackmail. That gives the greatest leverage to blackmail.”
Davis claims they were “engaged in good faith negotiations” with the hope of avoiding “a public spectacle” when the lawsuit was filed. Shannon Sharpe has also called the suit a “shakedown.”
“On the one hand Mr. Sharpe and his lawyers claim that the case filed by Jane Doe is meritless, yet on the other hand they now have disclosed that Mr. Sharpe offered Jane Doe $10 million in writing not to file her lawsuit,” Gabriella Zuniga’s lawyer Tony Buzbee said on Instagram on Tuesday. “That is a true statement. Jane Doe was in fact offered $10 million to settle, but rejected that offer, choosing instead to proceed with litigation. Sharpe’s team is now trying to discredit and dox her. Sharpe and his team are now, as anticipated, also attacking me. We are not going to be deterred by these tactics.”
Earlier this week, Davis released hundreds of alleged text messages between Sharpe and Zuniga, many of which were very explicit. On Tuesday, an alleged audio conversation between Zuniga and Sharpe was released by Buzbee. In the audio, the former NFL star threatens to choke Zuniga.
Tony Buzbee is the same attorney that has represented more than 20 women in lawsuits against NFL player Deshaun Watson, as well as over 120 people who claim to be victims of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.
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Shannon Sharpe Offered Accuser ‘At Least $10 Million’ To Settle, According To His Own Lawyer
Pinoy Human Rights
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