A U.S. federal magistrate judge is in Nevada siding with Cristiano Ronaldo’s lawyers against a woman who sued to recover more than $375,000 in hush funds she received in 2010, after she claimed that the Las Vegas international football star had raped and raped it.
On Wednesday, Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts made a harsh recommendation to the judge who heard the case. He said that Kathryn Mayorga’s attorney, Leslie Mark Stovall was responsible for basing her case on stolen and leaked documents Albregts claimed were confidential communications between Ronaldo's lawyers.
Albregts stated in his recommendation to U.S. district Judge Jennifer Dorsey that "Dismissing Mayorga’s case for the improper conduct of her lawyer is a harsh outcome." "But it's, unfortunately, the only right sanction to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the judicial procedure."
It was not possible to set a date for Dorsey's acceptance of Albregt’s recommendation immediately.
Albregts ruled that Stovall had acted in bad faith to the detriment of his client -- and his profession.
Stovall and the other attorneys in his firm did not respond to email and telephone messages Thursday regarding Albregt’s order.
Peter Christiansen, Ronaldo’s Las Vegas attorney, released a statement stating that Ronaldo's legal team was pleased with the court’s thorough review...and its willingness to justly and fairly apply the law to all the facts and recommend dismissal in the civil case against Mr. Ronaldo.''
The Associated Press does not usually name victims of sexual assault, but Mayorga consented through Stovall to have her name made public by Larissa Drohobyczer.
Albregts pointed out that Ronaldo was not convicted by the court and that there was no evidence that his representatives and attorneys "intimidated Mayorga" or "impeded law enforcement". Mayorga dropped all criminal charges and settled the confidential $375,000 settlement in August 2010.
Ronaldo is now 36 years old and one of the most well-known and highest-paid players in sports. Ronaldo, now 36, has been the captain of his home country team, Portugal. He is currently playing in England for Manchester United, the Premier League club.
