Mets Ace Johan Santana Sued by Female Accuser
New York Mets star pitcher, Johan Santana, has been sued by an unnamed female accuser for allegedly raping her on a Fort Myers golf course last October. The complaint alleges that Santana forced himself on the female plaintiff and even assaulted her.
Now, there are a few things we know about this alleged incident. First, Santana, who is married, admitted having an affair with this woman. Second, and more importantly, the alleged victim made a criminal complaint to the Lee County (where Fort Myers is located) sheriff’s department about Santana’s conduct. These same rape allegations were investigated by the police and no charges were ever brought against Santana. In fact, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office specifically said that there was not “enough evidence to prove a lack of consent.”
The plaintiff, here, claims that she has suffered “extensive physical and emotional pain” and she will “require treatment for the rest of her life.” Immediately, I would wonder that if there is a claim of forcible rape and assault whether the alleged victim went to the hospital, on the day of the claimed attack, to be treated and have a rape kit done? Is there any physical evidence to support the alleged victim’s claims? If a brutal rape occurred, unfortunately, the victim may have physical marks on her body and defensive wounds.
For his part, Johan Santana denies these allegations. It is important to remember that a complaint, itself, is not evidence and allegations are proof of nothing. It is the plaintiff’s burden to prove her claims not the defendant’s. If the police believed that the evidence suggested consentual sex then we know Santana, even with his moral failure, will take the same legal position.
My name is Christopher Fusco. I am the managing partner of Callahan & Fusco, LLC with offices in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.