SMC student alleges rape, files suit against football player
By JASON McFARLEY
News Editor
A 19-year-old Saint Mary's student recently filed a lawsuit against Notre Dame football player Clifford Jefferson Jr., claiming he sexually assaulted her in March.
The freshman alleges Jefferson raped her on March 21 at Saint Mary's. No criminal charges are pending against the senior cornerback.
Contacted on Wednesday, Jefferson declined to comment on the civil suit.
"I have no comment on that matter," he said.
While he said his refusal to comment was at the advice of his attorney, Jefferson would not disclose his counsel's name, claiming that he was "between lawyers right now."
On Wednesday, attorney Michael Anderson, who filed the suit in St. Joseph County Superior Court on behalf of the Saint Mary's student, did not return phone calls from The Observer.
A representative at the lawyer's law firm, Anderson, Agostino & Keller, said the suit seeks damages for medical bills incurred by the woman as well as physical and emotional suffering. The student also seeks damages to discourage her alleged assailant from future sexual assaults.
The representative said the woman met Jefferson at a downtown South Bend bar on the night of the alleged assault. She alleged Jefferson gave her a false name at the bar and later raped her on the Saint Mary's campus while she was passed out from the effects of alcohol.
According to the representative, there is little physical evidence because a local hospital did not complete a "rape kit" after the victims' friends took her to the hospital following the alleged incident.
Jefferson has reportedly denied the rape charge and claimed that the sex was consensual, the representative said.
University students who engage in pre-marital sex are subject to serious disciplinary action.
According to page 126 of the 2000-2001 edition of du Lac, Notre Dame's guide to student life, "… the University believes that sexual union should occur only in marriage. Students found in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary suspension or permanent dismissal."
However, Jefferson said Wednesday that neither his status as a student nor as a football player has changed.
Asked about procedure for handling lawsuits, Dennis Moore, Notre Dame director of public relations and information, said it is not the University's policy to intercede in cases in which it is not specifically involved as a party.
All News Stories for Friday, May 18, 2001
