What are the allegations against James Harden? Controversy explained as NBA star gets dragged into nephew’s alleged sexual assault case 

Los Angeles Clippers' basketball player James Harden has reportedly been named as one of the defendants in a s*xual assault case filed against his nephew. In a civil complaint filed by Plaintiff Marisa Watley, she has alleged that Harden's nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn, had "brutally r*ped" her,

"following a New Years Eve party at Defendant James Harden’s mansion home."

Marisa alleged that Harden is "vicariously liable" as his "security team" failed to protect the former on the latter's property. Marisa is reportedly seeking $100,000 in damages and a jury trial, per NBC News.

Explored: James Harden gets dragged into nephew’s alleged sexual assault case

James Harden has reportedly been sued for negligence in a lawsuit filed in a Texas civil court on June 23, 2025. Plaintiff Marisa Watley has claimed that Harden's nephew "r*ped" her during the New Year's Eve Party in 2024 while she was "semi-conscious" due to intoxication. In the full complaint, Marisa has alleged that after the assault, James Harden's security personnel forcefully "kicked" her out of the home.

Marisa reportedly went to the "emergency room" immediately following the alleged "assault" and has since experienced "symptoms of severe trauma", including a "heavy stutter." The complaint alleged that Marisa's two friends accompanied her to the party and had reached out to security after their friend went "missing." However, the complaint claims that one of Warden's security personnel told Marisa's friends,

"there were no more women in the house."

In a statement, Marisa has spoken out about the psychological impact of the alleged assault and how it potentially could have been stopped. She noted,

“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."

She added,

"I hope this complaint pushes security employees generally to act more responsibly when women are in danger.”

According to NBC News, Harden or his attorneys have declined to comment about the allegations.

Trending

James Harden has reportedly been dragged into a civil court case, which has alleged that his nephew s*xually assaulted Marisa Watley on Harden's premises. Marisa has claimed that the brutality could have been avoided had Harden's "security" not "negligently or knowingly refused to bring her to safety."

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback