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FSU reaches $950K settlement with woman who accused Winston of rape
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State University says it's settling with the woman who accused former quarterback Jameis Winston of rape.
Former FSU student Erica Kinsman had brought a Title IX lawsuit against the school, claiming Winston had raped her in 2012. Per a USA Today report, the suit claims the university was "deliberately indifferent" to Kinsman's reported assault, and that the school was "clearly unreasonable" in its response.
The settlement calls for a $950,000 payment to Kinsman and her attorneys. A copy of the settlement says Kinsman's attorneys will get $700,000 of that money, though they say that figure was inserted by the university and that they will receive far less for their fees.
FSU President John Thrasher said in a news release that the university is settling to avoid spending millions on the lawsuit.
According to USA Today, the settlement also includes "a five-year commitment to awareness, prevention and training programs."
Per the paper, despite the settlement, Florida State did not admit liability.
“I will always be disappointed that I had to leave the school I dreamed of attending since I was little,” Kinsman said in a statement cited by USA Today. “I am happy that FSU has committed to continue making changes in order to ensure a safer environment for all students.”
Winston, who is now the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, denied Kinsman's allegation and was cleared of wrongdoing by FSU following a hearing late last year. He has said the two had consensual sex.
A Florida prosecutor chose not to press criminal charges in late 2013, saying that there were gaps in the accuser's story and that there wasn't enough evidence to win a conviction.
A lawsuit filed by Kinsman against Winston -- and a countersuit he filed against her claiming she is trying to take advantage of his newfound wealth as the starting quarterback for the Buccaneers -- are ongoing and are not affected by the settlement.
A Title IX investigation by the Office of Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Education also is ongoing. Title IX is a federal statute that bans discrimination at schools that receive federal funding. The department in 2011 warned schools of their legal responsibilities to immediately investigate allegations of sexual assault, even if the criminal investigation has not concluded.
Neither The Associated Press nor FOXSports.com routinely identifies people who say they're sexual assault victims. However, Kinsman has spoken publicly about her case, including in a documentary.
