LOS ANGELES − A US judge has recommended dismissing the civil rape case against Cristiano Ronaldo over an incident in Las Vegas more than a decade ago.
Kathryn Mayorga, a former model, alleges Cristiano attacked her in a hotel room in 2009.
The Portuguese international has always denied allegations of sexual assault, insisting their encounter was consensual.
The criminal case against the Manchester United forward was dropped two years ago, with prosecutors saying there was no likelihood of conviction.
But Kathryn, who has waived her right to anonymity, took up a civil action for damages.
In a recommendation filed on Wednesday, magistrate judge, Daniel Albregts, recommended that Cristiano's motion to terminate the case be granted.
Daniel, whose recommendation will be reviewed by a separate judge, who is actually hearing the case, blamed Kathryn's lawyers for the move, saying they had based their case on leaked communications between Cristiano and his legal team, which were privileged.
“Dismissing (Kathryn) Mayorga’s case for the inappropriate conduct of her attorney is a harsh result,” Daniel wrote.
But “if the court does not grant case-terminating sanctions, (her lawyer’s) actions could have far-reaching, dangerous consequences on the legitimacy of the judicial process.”
Cristiano’s lawyer, Peter Christiansen, welcomed the recommendation.
“We are pleased with the court’s detailed review of this matter, and its willingness to justly apply the law to the facts and recommend dismissal of the civil case against Mr. Ronaldo,” he said.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from Kathryn’s lawyers. – AFP, October 8, 2021
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