A former Bethune-Cookman women’s basketball player has filed a civil lawsuit against the university, alleging a “climate of fear and intimidation” led to her being sexually assaulted by members of the men’s basketball team.
The woman, whose identity was not revealed in the lawsuit, is seeking more than $15,000 in damage.A Bethune-Cookman spokeswoman said the university could not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit states the woman was 18 years old when she met with 20-year-old C.J. Reed, who was a member of the Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball team, and they began drinking alcohol Dec. 5 in his car. The lawsuit suggests Reed poured an unknown substance into a drink that was only consumed by the woman and she was quickly incapacitated. She alleges she was sexually assaulted by an unknown third party in the back seat of Reed’s car and later was led to the Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball locker room, where the lawsuit states she was gang raped by Reed and his teammates.
Daytona Beach police records state the woman did not seek medical attention or contact authorities immediately after the assault. She washed all clothing she was wearing on the night she was assaulted. The Bethune-Cookman women’s basketball coach urged the woman to eventually report the incident on Jan. 3.
Daytona Beach detectives’ records state the woman repeatedly changed her account of the sexual assault. The records state the woman indicated she wanted to pursue counseling and asked the police at least three times to terminate their investigation. Daytona Beach police closed the case and no criminal charges were filed against Reed or any other members of the basketball team.
The lawsuit alleges former Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball coach Clifford Reed, the father of C.J. Reed, provided alcohol to his son and members of the basketball team and gave them unlimited access to the men’s basketball locker room for parties and sexual misconduct.
Clifford Reed did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.
Bethune-Cookman officials fired Clifford Reed in June after he refused to cooperate with the police and university investigations into the sexual assault.
He told the Sentinel in August he believes he still has a positive reputation.
“I feel good about where I am as a person and as a coach,” Clifford Reed said. “I have no NCAA recruiting violations against me, I still have my dignity … Those things speak for themselves. We’ll be OK.”
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