Settlement Was Discussed In Jameis Winston Case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) There were discussions of a settlement earlier this year between representatives for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and the woman who said he sexually assaulted her.
Attorneys for both sides strongly disagree, however, on the details of the talks and who initiated them.
David Cornwell, an attorney who advises the Winston family, said in a Sept. 23 letter to Florida State obtained by The Associated Press that the woman's former lawyer Patricia Carroll demanded $7 million in February to settle her claim against Winston, the university and the Tallahassee Police Department.
Baine Kerr, one of the lawyers for the woman, said in a statement emailed to the AP Wednesday that Cornwell sought the settlement. Kerr said it's "our understanding that (a) settlement was discussed, no authorized demands were made of Mr. Winston."
TMZ first reported the letter being sent to Florida State.
Neither Cornwell nor Florida State immediately responded to requests for comment.
The statement released by Kerr said Cornwell "leaked to TMZ a self-serving letter" that he had sent to Florida State, adding that the letter was "full of dishonest and distorted statements at a time when Mr. Winston is suffering from the negative attention of his own continuing misconduct of last week."
Kerr said Cornwell, threatened to sue the woman and her parents for "civil racketeering in an effort to intimidate them into staying quiet" after they declined to settle.
Cornwell's letter said, "Ms. Carroll stated, 'If we settle you will never hear from my client or me again - in the press or anywhere.'" The letter also said that Carroll threated to bring in "high profile" Colorado lawyers if Winston did not accept the offer. Kerr and his partner John Clune are based in Colorado.
Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said Wednesday morning that he had no previous knowledge of the letter, but had been told about the TMZ report.
The school is currently investigation Winston for a possible code of conduct violation involving the alleged sexual in December 2012. The Department of Education is investigating the university on how it handles sexual assault complaints after Winston's accuser filed a complaint.
Cornwell said on Twitter Tuesday, "... will advise FSU that JW will cooperate with Title 9 investigation. Looks forward to clearing his name."
Winston was suspended from the Clemson game last week for making "offensive and vulgar" comments about female anatomy on campus. Interim President Garnett S. Stokes and athletic director Stan Wilcox announced the decision after criticism that the original half-game suspension for Winston's latest embarrassing off-field incident was too light.
While playing for the Florida State baseball team, he was suspended for three games and completed 20 hours of community service after acknowledging he stole $32 worth of crab legs from a local grocery store in April. Before the football season, he said he had matured, learned what it takes to be a leader and understood that he needed to be more careful in his personal life.
Winston has repeatedly been in the news for his off-field transgressions.
Fisher announced Tuesday that Winston would no longer be made available to the media except for after games. The quarterback previously held media sessions on Wednesdays since he was named the starter before the 2013 season.
Fisher the decision to limit Winston's media availability "it helps him focus on the things that are important right now, which are school, keep making good decisions in life and being a great football player and a great teammate."
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