New Orleans Saints linebacker Junior Galette has been sued by a woman who claims that he physically and emotionally abused her during their two-year relationship, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The civil lawsuit stems from an incident on Jan. 4 involving the woman, Galette and several other Saints players during which she asserts that she was a victim of sexual assault.
Saints’ Junior Galette accused of false imprisonment, sexual abuse
The lawsuit claims five other Saints players allegedly witnessed Galette sexually assault a 22-year-old woman.
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The woman accuses the linebacker of “false imprisonment and human trafficking, virtually keeping her a prisoner, controlling her contact with others, including her mother, and checking her phone to keep tabs on her communications.” According to a petition filed by her attorney, the woman is seeking unspecified monetary damages and has requested a jury trial.
Details from the woman’s story are disturbing. She claims that Galette drugged her with “horny juice” and allowed other Saints players to grope her. The lawsuit cites five other Saints players who witnessed the incident, but does not name them. The assault charge stems from an alleged argument that turned violent, in which the woman claims Galette strangled her and ripped an earring out of her earlobe.
Galette was arrested last month for simple battery and domestic abuse following that Jan. 4 dispute with the woman, but the charges have been dropped. The NFL is still investigating the incident, which could result in a six-game suspension for Galette as a first-time offender, per the league’s revamped personal conduct policy.
Galette is signed with the Saints through 2019 and is due a $12.5 million roster bonus on March 12. His total cap charge for 2015 is $15.45 million, per Over the Cap. However, because of the structure of his contract, releasing Galette would account for $16.2 million in dead money against the Saints' cap next season.
The fifth-year linebacker had 45 tackles and a team-best 10 sacks in 16 games for the Saints this past season. He was the team’s highest-rated defensive player in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus’ grading system.
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