JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) 鈥 A circuit court judge in Florida has dismissed a lawsuit two women filed against former NFL kicker Brandon McManus and the Jacksonville Jaguars that accused McManus of sexually assaulting them on the team鈥檚 overseas flight to London in 2023.
Judge Michael S. Sharrit granted a motion to dismiss and wrote in his order Tuesday that the case does not meet 鈥渆xceptional鈥 criteria required for the women to have anonymity. The women used pseudonyms 鈥淛ane Doe I" and "Jane Doe II鈥 in the lawsuit.
鈥淔airness requires Plaintiffs be prepared to stand behind their charges publicly in the same way Defendant McManus must openly refute them,鈥 Sharrit wrote.
The women have 10 days to file an amended complaint using their legal names, which their attorney said they would do.
鈥淢ost defendants in sexual assault cases file these types of motions thinking that the victims won鈥檛 proceed if they have to publicly reveal their names,鈥 attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. 鈥淲e anticipated this ruling. To be clear, these women have no intention of running and hiding and will comply with the court鈥檚 order in a timely fashion. We look forward to continuing to pursue this important case.鈥
McManus鈥 attorney, Brett Gallaway, called the allegations 鈥渂aseless.鈥
鈥淲e look forward to him returning to the NFL playing field as soon as possible,鈥 Gallaway said.
The Washington Commanders released McManus days after the lawsuit was filed in May.
The women were working as flight attendants on Jacksonville's charter flight to London last September and accused McManus of trying to kiss one of them and grinding and rubbing up against both of them while they were trying to work. They are seeking in excess of $1 million in damages.
The suit claimed the trip 鈥渜uickly turned into a party鈥 as McManus and other players disregarded the flight attendants鈥 personal space, air travel safety and federal law. The women said McManus passed out $100 bills to encouraged them and other flight attendants to drink and dance inappropriately.
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