Le’Veon Bell Lawsuit: $25 Million Default Judgment and Denial

The Le’Veon Bell lawsuit is a civil sexual abuse case filed in Franklin County, Ohio, by a woman identified as the former NFL running back’s cousin. After Bell never responded to the complaint, a judge entered default judgment against him, and in February 2025 an eight-person jury awarded the plaintiff $25 million in damages. Bell denies the allegations and says he was never served with the lawsuit.

What the Cousin Alleged

The complaint was filed on March 22, 2024, and named both Le’Veon Bell and his younger brother, La’Vonte Bell, as defendants. The plaintiff, identified only as the brothers’ cousin, alleged nonconsensual sexual acts that began when she was six or seven years old and continued through at least 2017. The complaint said Le’Veon Bell “continuously engaged in these encounters throughout Plaintiff’s minority,” including during returns to central Ohio while he was in college and after. The encounters, the complaint said, “happened with such frequency to habitualize Plaintiff to the abuse.”¹

The plaintiff filed a police report with Columbus authorities in October 2022. No criminal charges were brought against either brother.²

How the Case Reached a $25 Million Verdict

Neither brother responded to the complaint. In October 2024, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Julie Lynch entered a default judgment, ruling that Le’Veon Bell had been “served according to law and failed to move, plead, or otherwise appear in this action.”³

Because liability was already decided by default, the hearing on February 25 and 26, 2025, addressed damages only. It took place before a magistrate and an eight-person jury. The plaintiff and several relatives testified. Neither Bell brother attended.⁴

The jury awarded $20 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages against Le’Veon Bell, for a total of $25 million. La’Vonte Bell was found liable for more than $11 million. No attorney had filed to represent La’Vonte Bell as of the reporting date.⁴

The Service of Process Dispute

Bell’s attorney, Thomas W. Shaffer, has said his client “was never served with a civil complaint or any documents” and that the default judgment “violates his Fifth Amendment rights of due process for failing to be served.”⁵

The plaintiff’s attorney, John Camillus, has said service followed Ohio law. Filings were sent by certified mail and regular mail to an address in Baltimore, Ohio. According to the Columbus Dispatch, court records tie that address to the Bell family in several ways: La’Vonte Bell’s traffic citations listed it as his residence, the brothers’ mother used it in a lawsuit she filed, a credit agency filed a repossession affidavit there for an Audi purchased by Le’Veon Bell, an Ohio tax lien was filed there, and Le’Veon Bell is registered to vote at that address.⁴

Franklin County records show the filing addressed to La’Vonte Bell was accepted at the Baltimore, Ohio, residence. The filing for Le’Veon Bell was not returned to the clerk’s office. Bell’s defense says he was not living there and never received the documents.⁴

Bell’s Denial

On March 11, 2025, the day major outlets reported the verdict, Bell addressed the allegations on a Twitch livestream. He confirmed the accuser is his cousin but denied any abuse and said he had learned about the case roughly two days earlier. He told viewers he would swear on his children’s lives and his mother’s life that the allegations were false.¹

Shaffer separately told reporters that Bell “adamantly denies any and all allegations” and called the claims “bogus.” He said Bell was preparing to file a motion to reopen and reverse the default judgment, arguing the underlying claims had never actually been litigated.⁵³

What Happens Next

As of March 13, 2025, Shaffer said publicly that he intended to have the judgment thrown out but had not confirmed that a formal motion had been filed.⁶ Improper service is a recognized ground for setting aside a default judgment in Ohio. If a court grants such a motion, the case would restart, and Bell would need to answer the complaint and defend the claims on their merits.

Whether the $25 million is actually collectible is a separate question. Bell earned roughly $45.4 million during his NFL career, and his net worth was estimated at $12 million as of 2022.⁷ A judgment this large typically requires enforcement through garnishment, liens, or asset seizure, and collection is limited by what a defendant actually owns.

Stadium Name Removed in Groveport

On March 13, 2025, Groveport Madison Schools announced it had removed Bell’s name from the high school football stadium where he once played. The field had been called “Le’Veon Bell Field” at Cruiser Stadium under a naming-rights agreement in which Bell pledged $750,000. The district said Bell paid $300,000 in four $75,000 installments, with the last payment received in December 2020, and then stopped.⁸

The district cited a contract clause allowing termination for any offense involving “moral turpitude.” Superintendent Jamie Grube said students “deserve to look up to individuals who embody integrity, responsibility, and character.” Bell’s name was removed from the entrance, scoreboard, and field turf.⁸

1
People. Le’Veon Bell Ordered to Pay $25M After Cousin Sex Abuse Claim
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New York Post. Le’Veon Bell Denies Sexual Abuse Allegations After $25M Civil Suit Judgment
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Complex. Le’Veon Bell Denies Rape Allegation
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Columbus Dispatch. Ohio Jury Says Ex-NFL Star Le’Veon Bell Owes $25 Million for Sexual Assault
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Yahoo Sports. Le’Veon Bell Loses Civil Rape Case
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WYSU. Lawyer for Former NFL Player Le’Veon Bell Plans to Challenge $25 Million Judgement Against Client
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Sporting News. Le’Veon Bell Net Worth, Purse History, Career Earnings
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NBC4i. Groveport Removes Former NFL Star Le’Veon Bell’s Name From Stadium After Sexual Abuse Ruling