By WFAN.com
Before filing a criminal complaint with police, the woman accusing Kristaps Porzingis of rape contacted the Knicks' legal department seeking to "mediate in private" a $68,000 payment, according to a report Monday.
ESPN obtained a series of text messages and emails that show the 29-year-old woman's contact with the team came eight months after she says she was sexually assaulted by the former Knicks star in his Manhattan apartment in February 2018 -- just hours after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in a game.
The Knicks eventually referred the woman to Porzingis' lawyer, ESPN reported.
According to ESPN, the woman has what she describes as a contractural agreement signed by Porzingis to pay $68,000 for her brother's college tuition. The supposed agreement reads that it "acknowledges the fact that an unexpected escalated sexual intercourse" occurred.
Citing unidentified law enforcement officials, the New York Post and other news organizations reported that the woman went to police Thursday and said Porzingis raped her. According to TMZ, the woman also told cops that Porzingis hit her several times, spit on her and called her demeaning names.
The NYPD is investigating.
Roland Riopelle, the attorney for Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in January, has denied the allegations and says the claims are part of an extortion attempt that is being investigated by the FBI.
Riopelle told ESPN he believes the woman's document, which misspells Porzingis' name, is a forgery.
ESPN also reported that the texts and emails indicate the woman, who lived in Porzingis' apartment building, wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with him even after the alleged sexual assault.
ESPN's attempts to reach her attorney have been unsuccessful. The Knicks have not commented publicly.
Michele Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, said in a statement Sunday: "We have been aware of these allegations for some time, have evaluated the accuser's claims and, based on what is presently before us, stand with Kristaps."
Porzingis, the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, spent three seasons with the Knicks and was selected to his first All-Star Game in 2018. The 7-foot-3 Latvian has not played since tearing the ACL in his left knee 14 months ago.
On Jan. 31, the Knicks traded Porzingis and guards Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke and Courtney Lee to the Mavericks for guard Dennis Smith Jr., center DeAndre Jordan, guard/forward Wesley Matthews and two future first-round draft picks.
