Boxing legend Mike Tyson is being accused of raping a woman in Upstate New York three decades ago in a new lawsuit.
The Times-Union reports an unnamed woman is suing the former heavyweight champion under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which gives a one-year window for adults to file sexual abuse complaints for abuse that occurred in New York state regardless of when it occurred. The law took effect in November, opening up civil claims that previously would have been outside the statute of limitations.
According to court documents, Tyson met the alleged victim and another woman in the early 1990s at September’s Nightclub, a popular dance club in Albany at the time that the boxer had been known to visit. Tyson allegedly invited the women to a party and lured the victim into his limousine alone while her friend dropped off her car; he then began touching the victim in the limo and attempting to kiss her, according to the affidavit’s claims. She said “no” several times and asked him to stop, but he allegedly continued to sexually assault her, pulling off her pants and raping her.
The complaint does not include other specific details, but says the alleged victim suffered lifelong physical, psychological and emotional trauma, including panic attacks and feelings of shame, depression, violent tendencies and addiction. She also said she aims to keep her name private because “Tyson is a famous celebrity and I know I would be attacked by the media and all of his fans.”
She is seeking $5 million in damages.
Tyson was previously convicted of raping 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington in July 1991 in Indianapolis. He served three years in prison for the crime.
Tyson denied forcing himself on Washington in his 2013 book, “Undisputed Truth: My Autobiography,” and during his sentencing in 1992, according to Newsweek.
“I have not raped anyone, tried to rape anyone by any means,” Tyson said. “I’m sorry for Miss Washington as a person. I by no means meant to hurt her or do anything to her. I’m sure she knows that.”
Tyson’s storied career began in Albany at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center’s The Egg venue. An 18-year-old “Iron Mike” defeated Hector Mercedes via first-round TKO on March 6, 1985, after training in the Catskills.
He went on to become the undisputed heavyweight champion and is regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He was the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight championships, and the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y., in 2011.
Thousands of lawsuits involving years-old abuse allegations are expected to be filed in New York state this year under the Adult Survivors Act. Writer E. Jean Carroll has sued former President Donald Trump for allegedly raping her in the ‘90s and multiple women have sued comedian Bill Cosby under the new law.