Puka Nacua had a good 2025 season with the Los Angeles Rams, and was really enjoying his offseason as well. The wide receiver seemed to be at the top of his game, both on and off the field. However, he is facing strong criticism due to some of his recent actions.
Nacua recently faced some legal issues due to allegedly assaulting two women while also making a hurtful antisemitic remark. His legal case has now gotten a new update.
New update in Puka Nacua’s legal case
The civil lawsuit against Nacua was filed by a woman named Madison Atiabi in the Los Angeles Superior Court. According to the lawsuit, Nacua was with a group and attended dinner on New Year’s Eve 2025 in Century City. During the dinner, he allegedly made an unprovoked antisemitic remark and said “F— all the Jews”. Atiabi is a Jewish woman and claimed this caused her emotional distress.
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua
Mar 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua (left) and Megan Eugenio aka Overtime Megan watch in the third period of the game between the Colorado Avalanche and the LA Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
She further alleged that they were together riding in a Sprinter van, where Nacua became intoxicated and acted freely. He bit Atiabi on her left shoulder and also bit one of her female friends on the thumb which caused her pain. The lawsuit seeks damages for gender violence, assault and battery, and negligence, citing physical injury, pain, suffering, medical expenses, and severe emotional distress.
The lawsuit has gotten a major update on May 11, 2026. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office confirmed it will not file criminal charges against Nacua at this time. Instead, the case has been assigned to a pre-filing diversion hearing as an alternative to misdemeanor prosecution.
According to Deputy Director of Communications Ivor B. Pine, the matter remains open for the duration of the statute of limitations and can be re-evaluated if new developments arise. Successful completion of the diversion program would prevent the case from proceeding to trial. Despite this win, Nacua will not be resting easy according to the victim’s attorney.
Accuser’s attorney hits back at Puka Nacua
Despite the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office declining to file criminal charges against Nacua for now, the victim’s attorney Joseph Kar made it clear the matter is far from over. He has stated that the decision to proceed with a battery hearing for pre-filing diversion means that Nacua is guilty.
He said, “We feel validated that the city attorney is proceeding with its charge for battery to a hearing. This dispels the false narrative Mr. Nacua and his crisis team tried to push to the press before Mr. Nacua entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.”
“The City attorney proceedings are not a formal criminal filing but have very serious implications for an accused defendant, especially for a famous football player in the prime of his career, such as Makea Puka Nacua,” Kar added.
It remains to be seen what new developments occur in this case surrounding Puka Nacua.