The lawsuit was filed on Monday. Harden, Justice Armani Blackburn and Harden’s security team were all named.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Former Rockets guard James Harden was named as a defendant in a lawsuit over an alleged rape that took place at his house during a New Year’s Eve party earlier this year, according to the filing.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff claims she was sexually assaulted by Justice Armani Blackburn, who’s listed as a defendant and also identified as Harden’s nephew in the lawsuit, at Harden’s home in the early-morning hours on Jan. 1 after a group of people returned there after a night out.
The lawsuit says a group of women alerted Harden’s security team, which is also named as a defendant in the suit, that the plaintiff was missing in the house and they believed she was “passed out from intoxication.”
“Harden’s security team recklessly failed to protect (the plaintiff) on Mr. Harden’s property — and the result was a sexual assault from which she will suffer indefinitely,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit is seeking more than $100,000.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in Harris County, the plaintiff went out with friends on Dec. 31 around 11 p.m. They met at a restaurant and eventually ended up at a club on Westheimer Road around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 1. They said they went to a section of the club where Harden and others were hanging out.
The lawsuit says the plaintiff learned about an after-party at Harden’s house. A group of women, including the plaintiff, said they ended up at his house.
After arriving at the house, the plaintiff claimed she had a drink, and then her memory went fuzzy. She said she snapped to as Blackburn was having sex with her.
A security guard then kicked her out of the house and closed the gate behind her, according to the lawsuit.
Harden is accused of negligence.