Houston Rockets guard James Harden is involved in a troubling civil lawsuit after being named a defendant in a sexual assault lawsuit involving his nephew, Justice Armani Blackburn. Even though Harden himself is not suspected of committing the assault, the lawsuit argues that he’s “vicariously liable” for not having proper security in place at an afterparty held at his Houston home where the alleged assault took place.
The plaintiff, Marisa Watley, brought the lawsuit after a night she claims unfolded after a New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2024. She says she went to dinner with two friends before going to the lounge, where she says they crossed paths with Harden in VIP. It was there, the lawsuit alleges, that they were invited afterward to an exclusive afterparty at Harden’s home.
Watley claims that when she arrived at the home, Blackburn, Harden’s nephew, gave her a drink and told her that he gave her a bottle of alcohol. Within moments of finishing the drink, she says, she passed out and awakened to the horrifying realization that she was being raped. The assault, the lawsuit states, left her physically and emotionally battered.
Check out this article: Prosecutors Rest Case Against Sean “Diddy” Combs After Testimony Revelations
Justice Armani Blackburn is being accused of brutally raping Watley, and although he is the focal point of the sexual assault accusations, James Harden’s connection lies as the host and partygoer also in charge of hiring security staff. The suit claims that proper security at the event would have prevented the attack. It also cites Harden’s corporate security team’s inaction and says the Houston Rockets guard should be held financially responsible.
Watley is asking for more than $100,000 in damages for physical, emotional, and mental suffering from the assault. Her legal team points out that Harden’s house should have taken greater precautions to ensure the safety of its guests, given the celebrity status of the host and the scenario of a private party with alcohol and strangers.
This case has cast a cold light on the larger issue of celebrity-hosted events and liability. Though Harden is not directly implicated in the crime, the inquiry will be whether his neglect caused this sad development. As the lawsuit plays out, it may establish a precedent for how responsibility will be understood in future such incidents. James Harden has not yet spoken on the lawsuit, nor has his camp acknowledged the lawsuit.
