Former Michigan State football player Jermaine Edmondson and his girlfriend have filed a civil lawsuit against Draymond Green, seeking unspecified damages for claims of physical assault and bullying against the Golden State Warriors star.
Edmondson and his girlfriend, Bianca Williams, announced the lawsuit during a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles. The suit is in response to an altercation in July 2016 that culminated in Green allegedly striking Edmondson in the face at a restaurant in East Lansing, Michigan.
“I think about what happened with Draymond every day,” Edmondson said at the news conference. “I still feel his hand on my jaw. There are nights where I wake up crying.”
Green’s public relations firm released a statement Tuesday, referring to the lawsuit’s allegations as “misinformation.”
“This lawsuit relates to an incident that occurred in East Lansing, Michigan, over a year ago, for which Draymond paid a noise violation fine,” the statement said. “Draymond looks forward to defending himself and clearing up the misinformation put forth today.”
Attorney Lisa Bloom, who is representing Edmondson and Williams, said that her clients will “be happy with whatever a jury feels is the appropriate amount to compensate” them in regard to the lawsuit.
“Primarily this is about responsibility and accountability and just standing up to a bully,” Bloom said.
Edmondson and Williams have accused Green, a former star at Michigan State, of demeaning and bullying Edmondson at an East Lansing bar on July 9, 2016, before two of Green’s associates allegedly pushed Edmondson against a wall and choked him.
Williams alleged that when she tried to intervene, one of the two men, grabbed her by the neck and also choked her.
“I still feel that man’s hand around my neck and it will forever be traumatizing,” Williams said Tuesday.
Edmondson and Williams allege that they encountered Green again at a different establishment the following night, when the alleged physical assault occurred.
Green was arrested for allegedly slapping Edmondson and faced a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail if found guilty. The two-time NBA All-Star was released on $200 bond and didn’t appear in court.
Green’s plea deal reduced the charges from misdemeanor assault to a noise violation and civil infraction, which carried a $500 fine and $60 in jail restitution. (ESPN)