Mets' Santana Sued for Alleged Rape in Florida

A Florida woman who accused Mets ace Johan Santana of rape is suing him after authorities declined to prosecute the case.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Lee County accuses Santana of wrongful imprisonment and rape in southwest Florida in Oct. 2009. The 35-year-old single mother of two children is only identified as Jane Doe. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $15,000.

The woman and Santana were neighbors near Fort Myers, Fla., at the time, and she says the pitcher tore off her clothes and sexually assaulted her on a golf course.

In a statement the woman said she became pregnant after the alleged rape, but had a miscarriage.

The woman's attorney says the lawsuit was filed after investigators decided not to pursue the criminal case, and because his client thought Santana was not taking it seriously.

"I had thought I was going to play tennis with a man who up to that point had been nothing but friendly to me and my kids," said the woman, according to the Daily News. "After 10 months of emotional turmoil from the assault, losing the baby and watching him go unprosecuted, I have realized this difficult step is the only way Mr. Santana will be held accountable."

Santana said Tuesday that "there were no more comments about that."

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said Wednesday they were aware of the lawsuit but had not reviewed it.


 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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