A civil lawsuit has been filed against former IBF super featherweight and interim WBC lightweight champion, Joseph Diaz Jr, for attempting to coerce a minor into engaging in sexual activity.
ESPN's Brett Okamoto and Mike Coppinger were the first to report that an unidentified female had filed a suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California that alleges Diaz Jr. sent her "sexually graphic material" via Snapchat in September 2020 when at the time she was only 17 years old. The lawsuit continues on to state that Diaz formerly dated the plaintiff's older sister and that his father told the plaintiff's family Diaz sent the photo "mistakenly" after a night of drinking. The plaintiff has suffered "emotional distress and discomfort" as a result of the alleged actions and is seeking liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000. Diaz Jr.'s attorney, James Greeley, gave ESPN the following statement regarding the allegations made against his client.
"These frivolous allegations on behalf of an anonymous source have been brought by the attorney for Joseph Diaz's former manager, Ralph Heredia, who Mr. Diaz is suing in federal court for stealing his money and violating his trust. Mr. Heredia and his counsel appear to be making a desperate attempt to gain leverage in that lawsuit by fabricating claims by a 'Jane Doe' as part of an ongoing effort to defame Mr. Diaz and derail his career. They will be made to answer for their actions. It should go without saying that Mr. Diaz staunchly denies these claims."
Diaz Jr. is 32-2-1 as a professional and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to undefeated WBC lightweight champion, Devin Haney, in his latest appearance last December.
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