Earlier on Thursday, MDS pointed out that a lawsuit has been filed against Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib regarding a claim that Talib caused an automobile accident in December 2010, and then threatened the woman driving the other car.
Specifically, Talib allegedly said he would “put a cap in [her].”
Talib’s lawyer, Jay Reisinger of Pittsburgh, has issued a statement in response to the suit.
“Fifteen months ago, on December 9, 2010, Aqib Talib was involved in a very minor traffic accident involving Betty Atwood,” Reisinger said. “Ms. Atwood placed a 911 call to report the accident, and was also interviewed by police at the scene of the accident. At no time during the 15 months since the accident has Ms. Atwood ever reported this alleged statement to the police. Further, we have witness statements confirming that Aqib never made a statement of this nature toward Ms. Atwood. Following the accident, Ms. Atwood discovered that Aqib played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In order to leverage a substantial monetary settlement, she concocted a tale to increase her alleged damages. Aqib is evaluating his legal options with respect to this false allegation. Aqib is confident that once all of the facts are known, this matter will be resolved favorably and in an expeditious fashion.”
It would be wise for Talib to simply defend the claim on its merits, and to refrain filing suit against the woman as retaliation for the allegedly false statement.
It also would be wise to not put a cap in her. That ordinarily goes without saying, but in light of the pending criminal charges against Talib, it never hurts to be crystal clear on matters of this nature.