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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 10:16 a.m., Saturday, October 20, 2007

NBA: Kings' Williams says sex with woman consensual

By STEVE LAWRENCE
Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO — Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams and his girlfriend had consensual sex with a woman who is accusing him of sexual assault, his attorney said today.

"In no way, shape or form did anything wrong happen," William Portanova said in a telephone interview. "Unequivocally, 100 percent, nothing wrong."

Williams and the woman were introduced by friends the night of Oct. 11 at a gathering at a local restaurant and night club, Portanova said. After the club closed, the party moved to another person's house and then to William's home, with the number of people involved dwindling as the night went on.

Eventually, Williams, his girlfriend and the woman were alone in a bedroom at Williams' home and had consensual sex, Portanova said.

Police announced Thursday they were investigating allegations that Williams had sexually assaulted a woman. They said they were notified by a local hospital on the morning of Oct. 12 that a woman in her 20s had reported being sexually assaulted by Williams.

Officers searched Williams' home Wednesday night and removed items that were being evaluated as potential evidence, said Sgt. Matt Young, a police department spokesman.

No charges have been filed against Williams or his girlfriend, and Portanova said he didn't expect that any would be filed.

"The case will be declined because the evidence is simply not there," Portanova said. "The evidence is simply not there because the crime simply didn't happen."

He suggested the woman made up the allegations because Williams is a "tall, handsome, rich NBA up-and-comer."

Williams, 23, is in his second season with the Kings and averaged five points in 26 games last season. He was signed as a free agent in 2006 after playing his final two years of college ball at Wyoming.

Williams was given an indefinite leave of absence from the team on Thursday after police announced the investigation.

Portanova also represented another King, Ron Artest, after the forward was accused of grabbing, pushing and slapping his wife during an argument earlier this year.

Artest pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in March and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a 10-day work project. He also was fined $600 and ordered to get extensive counseling.