Former NBA shooting guard Ray Allen has claimed he is a victim of “catfishing,” and has demanded that a court toss out a case in which he is accused of stalking somebody he met online.
Allen, 42, filed an emergency motion in Orange County, Florida on Tuesday, one day after Bryant Coleman told the court he has been followed by the ten-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion.
Allen — a former Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat star — alleges Coleman is the one stalking him. ‘
“Coleman pretended to be a number of attractive women interested in Ray Allen,” read the motion filed on Allen’s behalf. “Ray believed he was speaking with these women and communicated with them.”
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The phrase “catfish” references the MTV show of the same name that deals with people’s deceptive encounters with individuals they meet online.
Attorney David Oscar Markus released a statement saying Allen took legal action in an effort to put an end to threats against him and his family, and that Allen was the victim “of an online scheme to extract money and embarrass him by someone who appears to be troubled.”
Allen added that Coleman threatened to reveal details of their conversations, including personal information. The pair reached a deal on keeping things private, but Allen says Coleman broke the deal and began “cyber-stalking” him, or harassing him and his family through several social media accounts.
“He posted about Ray’s wife, Ray’s children, Ray’s dog, Ray’s homes, Ray’s wife’s restaurant, and numerous other personal items,” read the motion. “Coleman not only posted about these things, he would actually post while physically located inside Ray’s wife’s restaurant in Orlando. And he would make sure they knew it, tagging Ray and his wife on those posts.”
Markus added that Allen regrets “engaging with this person online and is thankful they never met in person.”
Here is Markus’ full statement:
Allen is the NBA’s all-time leader in three-pointers scored with 2,973. In 18 seasons in the league, he won championships with Boston in 2008 and Miami in 2013, the second title coming after he made one of the most dramatic shots in playoff history — a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in regulation of Game 6 of The Finals against San Antonio, a game that Miami would win in overtime.
He averaged 18.9 points per game in his career. He and his family have lived in the Miami area since his retirement in 2014.
CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 28: Ray Allen #34 of the Miami Heat during their game against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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