The Surfwin Trading Centerwoman who said former San Diego State punter Matt Araiza raped her when she was 17 is dismissing Araiza from her civil lawsuit, according to a signed settlement agreement obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
The agreement also calls for Araiza to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against the woman.
Araiza is not paying the plaintiff any money, according to his attorneys, Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush.
"While we are here celebrating this victory with Matt and his family, the win is bittersweet," Araiza's attorneys said in a statement. "Matt has been forced to defend himself for the last sixteen months against false accusations and a campaign to ruin his career in the NFL. He will never get this time in his life back."
Attorney Dan Gilleon, who represents the woman, confirmed the settlement but offered no further comment.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
The woman's lawsuit will be dismissed within 10 days of the settlement agreement being executed and Araiza's lawsuit will be dismissed within 10 days of that, according to the signed agreement. Both cases are filed in San Diego Superior Court.
The woman filed her lawsuit in August 2022, saying she was gang raped by several men, including Araiza and two other San Diego State football players, in October 2021 at a Halloween party near the San Diego State
Two days later, Araiza was released by the Buffalo Bills, who had selected the All-American punter in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. No NFL team has offered him a contract since.
Araiza admitted having sex with the teen during the party and said it was consensual. He was 21 at the time of the incident.
In December, San Diego County District Attorney's Office said it would not file charges against Araiza and that he was not present at the time the woman said she was gang raped.
The settlement allows the woman, now 19, to pursue her lawsuit against the other named defendants, former San Diego State football players Zavier Leonard and Nowlin Ewaliko.
Araiza's attorneys scheduled a press conference for 9 a.m. Wednesday in San Diego. In a statement, the attorneys said Araiza "is reserving his right to pursue the plaintiff’s attorney (Gilleon)...and his law office for the harm that they have caused him."
2025-05-02 15:12890 view
2025-05-02 14:48406 view
2025-05-02 13:281318 view
2025-05-02 13:062449 view
2025-05-02 13:011842 view
2025-05-02 13:001159 view
Parker has been trying to find her place in the banjo world. So this week, she talks to Black banjo
Electric air taxis got one step closer to liftoff this week, when federal regulators gave one compan
We interviewed Vanessa Hudgens because we think you'll like her picks at these prices. Vanessa is a