The attorney representing Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey and his twin brother Mike Pouncey has now issued a statement to the Miami Herald late Tuesday and in it he called the recent assault accusations against his clients “lies.”
“Mike and Maurkice were not involved in any altercation with the accuser or anyone else that night and did nothing wrong,” wrote Jeff Ostrow, personal counsel to the Pounceys, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. “It appears that the accuser is an opportunist seeking attention and possible financial gain. Any attempt by the accuser or anyone else to bring an action against them based upon these false allegations will be vigorously defended. If the accuser continues to perpetuate these lies, we will bring an action against him.”
Despite the threat from Ostrow, Beasley reports that the three people accusing the Pounceys of assaulting them early Saturday morning during an incident at the Cameo club in Miami Beach, Riquan James, Niya Pickett and Brentley Williams, have now hired personal injury attorney Marwan Porter, who confirmed that a lawsuit will be filed by week’s end.
“This kind of conduct cannot be tolerated,” Porter said. “These are big men. They cannot conduct themselves in this manner. They think they can get a free pass.”
According to an earlier report in the day by Beasley, Miami Beach Police were still waiting on the accusers to come in and give statements.
“We need them to come forward and speak to invest,” Miami Beach Police Sgt. Bobby Hernandez told Beasley. “We’ve been anxiously awaiting that since they made the allegations on Saturday.”
Beasley also now reports that James, who was invited to the annual birthday party by former Dolphins lineman Bryant McKinnie, told his paper on Tuesday that he had just arrived at the club about 4 a.m. when some shoving began. He also detailed his alleged assault.
“I heard a series of slurs from the Pouncey brothers, referring to me as less than a man, a f—–, a b—-,” said James. “I assume me asking them not to touch me rubbed them the wrong way.
“Then someone turned me around, and one of the Pouncey brothers hit me in the face,” he added. “A gang of guys hit me. To protect myself from being really injured, I crawled up into a fetal position, until I got thrown out [of the club].”
