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Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden was accused of negligence as his nephew was sued over alleged sexual assault and rape that occurred at a New Year’s Eve party in December 2024.
Marisa Watley accused Justice Armani Blackburn of sexual assault and rape in the lawsuit filed in Harris County, Texas. The lawsuit accused Harden of negligence “due to the conduct of his in-home security staff after the party,” according to a news release from Wigdor Law.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game two of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 21, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images)
A lawyer wasn’t listed for Blackburn. Fox News Digital reached out to Harden’s agency and the Clippers for comment.
Watley claimed that Harden’s security team removed two of her friends who had attended the party at his home with her despite “their pleas that she was still inside.” Watley’s friends contacted her sister, Elaina, who then got in touch with Harden’s sister — the mother of Blackburn. The lawsuit said that Elaina Watley was able to get a photo to Harden’s security, but team members said there was a woman in the home with Blackburn, but the woman was not Marisa Watley.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) warms up prior to game four of round one of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome on April 26, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Jayne Kamin/Oncea-Imagn Images)
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The lawsuit alleged that if Harden’s security team would have “acted responsibly,” then they would have stopped the alleged rape.
“Since New Year’s Day, when I reported the rape by Mr. Blackburn to the police, I have remained puzzled by how Mr. Harden’s security behaved that day—it is painful to imagine that this all could have been stopped in time,” Watley said in a statement. “I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger.”
LA Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game five of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
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Watley’s lawyers said they plan to hold Blackburn and Harden accountable for their alleged actions.
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