Money is not the only thing at stake for Derrick Rose; the New York Knicks' star could find himself behind bars. The LAPD confirmed there is a criminal investigation into Rose regarding the allegation that he and two friends gang-raped a young woman. The letter was addressed to the Brandan Anand, the lawyer for Rose's alleged victim.
The judge presiding over the civil case recently ruled that the alleged victim will not be able to maintain her anonymity during the trial after Rose’s lawyer, Mark Baute, requested that she use her real name after she went on a media tour "bashing" Rose. The letter, written by LAPD detective Nadine Hernandez, noted that the alleged victim "exercised her right to confidentiality" when filing the report. Hernandez argues that maintaining the victim’s anonymity “is an invaluable investigative aid to investigators.” The department plans to maintain her anonymity “throughout the criminal investigation being handled by the Los Angeles Police Department.” The letter - and the detective's testimony - will be used to persuade the judge in the $21.5 million civil case to change his ruling allowing Jane Doe's identity to be revealed.
At Knicks media day on Monday, Rose said "I'm innocent. I felt like I didn't do anything wrong." He added that police have not contacted him.
The civil trial is set to begin [October 4], meaning Rose could miss multiple Knicks preseason games and practices if he doesn't settle the suit. When asked about the possibility of settling the suit, Rose says he's only concerned with basketball and maintains that he is innocent.
"If I do have to miss time it's a part of it," Rose said of his pending civil case. "It is what it is. I'm going to let my lawyers and my team handle it."
Last week, Knicks President Phil Jackson said the upcoming gang rape trial is “not keeping [Rose] up at night.” Jackson also said the Knicks were “not concerned” about the allegations.
Source: nydailynews.com
