by WSYX Staff
Wed, March 12th 2025 at 10:34 PM
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell watches from the sideline as he waits for the end of the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. The Patriots won 36-17 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A Franklin County jury has determined that former NFL player and Groveport native Le'Veon Bell is liable for $25 million in damages for rape and sexual assault. The case was brought to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas last year.
According to court records obtained by ABC 6, Bell is accused of having nonconsensual sexual relations with his younger cousin when she was a minor. The woman, who is seven years younger than Bell, alleged that the sexual abuse lasted a decade.
Bell's brother, La'Vonte Bell, is also implicated in the case and has been ordered to pay $11 million in damages.
Le'Veon Bell is denying the allegations.
His attorney told TMZ Sports, "My client adamantly denies any and all allegations that have been lodged against him. Further, he was never served with a civil complaint or any documents."
The attorney also stated that Bell was not living in Ohio when the alleged abuse occurred.