A woman in Utah, USA has filed a lawsuit accusing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff of rape, strangulation, and assault during an incident in November 2023.
The suit, filed Wednesday, May 21, in Utah state court, also alleges that Provo police discouraged the woman from pursuing justice, telling her that “sexual assault victims never get justice.”
The Provo Police Department has denied that claim in a public statement.
The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe A.G., claims she continues to suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder and other symptoms more than a year after the alleged assault.
Retzlaff’s attorney, Mark Baute, maintains his client’s innocence. “Jake is factually innocent. We will respect the process and prove his innocence through the judicial system,” Baute said in a statement.
According to the lawsuit, Retzlaff and the woman connected via social media in October 2023. She later visited his home near Nov. 22, where the alleged assault occurred after they watched a movie together.
The suit states that when the woman tried to stop the encounter, Retzlaff escalated the situation, ignored her protests, and allegedly strangled and raped her.
The lawsuit claims the woman passed out from the pain and lack of oxygen. She later underwent a forensic exam and submitted a rape kit at a hospital, where photographs were taken of her injuries.
Initially, the woman did not name Retzlaff to police, but later identified him after learning of a separate complaint involving a football player. The lawsuit alleges that, after this, Provo police discouraged her from taking further action.
Provo police have strongly refuted this claim, stating, “We have a team of dedicated investigators and victim advocates whose sole mission is to provide justice to victims of sexual abuse. They do not send people away.” The department confirmed a 2023 report that aligns with the account in the lawsuit but says the alleged victim at the time declined to name her assailant, leading to the case’s closure due to a lack of actionable leads.
BYU acknowledged the lawsuit in a statement, saying, “The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX.” The school declined further comment due to privacy laws.
Retzlaff became BYU’s starting quarterback in 2024, finishing the season with 2,947 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He previously played at Riverside City College in California.
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