The attorney representing a woman who in a civil lawsuit accuses Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua of biting her on the shoulder said they are withdrawing a petition for a retraining order against the Rams star.
The attorney, Joseph Kar, said the action will make a court hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, unnecessary and the judge will automatically dismiss the petition for a retraining order.
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A potential criminal case stemming from the woman’s allegations, which includes Nacua making an anti-Semitic statement, is under review by the Los Angeles City Attorney, according to Ivor Pine, the office’s Deputy Director of Communications.
The woman filed a report with police Jan. 2, according to Kar.
But Kar told USA TODAY Sports, “The civil case is where we are focusing.”
The woman has accused Nacua of gender violence, assault and battery and neglience. In a press released issued last month, Kar said a voluntary withdrawal of a petition for restraining order “allows for the merits of the civil matter to be thoroughly investigated and tried to a jury.”
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The civil lawsuit was filed with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County March 25 and Kar said the petition for a restraining order no longer is necessary. “Especially after rehab,’’ Kar said, referring to Nacua checking into treatment voluntarily in March, according to a statement from Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern II.
“Puka is taking responsibility for his well-being and is focused on improving his performance during the offseason,” McCathern said in a statement, adding that the decision to enter a treatment facility was made before the woman filed a legal complaint. “Puka voluntarily entered a private facility to focus on his health, personal growth, and overall development – and I’m really proud of him for doing that ahead of his upcoming season.”
McCathern did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the withdrawal of the petition for a restraining order.
More: Why is Puka Nacua in rehab? Here’s what led Rams WR to seek treatment
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The biting incident allegedly took place after a group dinner in the Century City area of Los Angeles Dec. 31, 2025, according to the complaint, which was obtained by USA TODAY.
Following the dinner, the woman, Nacua and others were directed into the prearranged Sprinter van, according to the complaint. She alleges he bit her, and caused injury, pain and suffering after a dinner in the Century City area of Los Angeles. She also alleges Nacua bit her female friend that night.
During the dinner, according to the complaint, Nacua made an unprovoked antisemitic statement of “(Expletive) all the Jews.’’ The woman said she is of the Jewish faith and “immediately felt uncomfortable and emotionally distressed.”
In December, Nacua received backlash for using an antisemitic trope during a livestream appearance. Nacua later issued an apology in which he said he had “no idea” the act was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.
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McCathern, Nacua’s attorney, said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports that Nacua denies the accusations detailed in the civil lawsuit and that a sober witness has denied them as well.
“We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements,” McCathern said.
More: NFL addresses Puka Nacua lawsuit, rehab: ‘The matter is under review’
He also said the alleged victim of the biting incident asked for millions of dollars in exchange for not publicizing the allegations.
“Let’s be clear about what this case is — and what it is not,” McCathern says. “This matter is not sexual in nature, nor does it involve any allegation of domestic violence. If it did, the filings would look very different. They do not. It also doesn’t involve any elements of antisemitism.”
Contributing: Tyler Dragon
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Puka Nacua decision to enter rehab cited as restraining order request dropped
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