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FSU Announces Settlement With Jameis Winston's Accuser

Florida State University has settled a lawsuit filed against it under Title IX by a former student, Erica Kinsman, for $250,000. Kinsman accused Jameis Winston, FSU's former quarterback, of raping her in 2012. FSU President John Thrasher said the university settled to put the incident behind it. (Photo by Brook Ward/Creative Commons Flickr).
Florida State University has settled a lawsuit filed against it under Title IX by a former student, Erica Kinsman, for $250,000. Kinsman accused Jameis Winston, FSU's former quarterback, of raping her in 2012. FSU President John Thrasher said the university settled to put the incident behind it. (Photo by Brook Ward/Creative Commons Flickr).

Florida State University President John Thrasher announced today that a settlement has been reached with Erica Kinsman.

Kinsman,  a former FSU student, filed suit naming Jameis Winston as her alleged rapist after an incident in 2012.

According to the press release provided by FSU, as of today, Kinsman has agreed to drop her Title IX lawsuit against the university and is expected to receive $250,000 while her attorneys will receive $700,000.

Kinsman's attorney, John Clune, told the Tallahassee Democrathe would not disclose the exact dollar breakdown outlined by the FSU release due to attorney-client privilege. Kinsman will "definitely" receive more than $250,000, Clune said.

Thrasher said that the university agreed to the settlement to put the issue behind it - despite faith that the outcome of a trial would have been consistent with investigations and efforts made by law enforcement, according to the release.

Thrasher said that contrary to misinformation and speculation about this case, FSU remains committed to making FSU free of sexual harassment and sexual assault and safe for all students, according to the release.

“Although we regret we will never be able to tell our full story in court,” Thrasher said, “it is apparent that a trial many months from now would have left FSU fighting over the past rather than looking toward its very bright future.”

For more information, the FSU press release can be found here.

Addie is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.