Cristiano Ronaldo 'hired $1m team of lawyers, doctors and PR specialists' to protect himself over rape claim

The £100million forward is said to have gathered a group of the world’s most highest-powered to work towards keeping his image clean following the accusations back in 2009.

Ronaldo, 33, denies attacking Kathryn Mayorga in a Las Vegas hotel and maintains sex was consensual.

But the footie star is said to have used the team to protect his multi-million-pound reputation and to ensure the story never became public.

The “team”, as they are referred to in legal papers, came to­­­gether in mid-2009 and is said to have included a former cop, a medical professional and a forensic expert.

Now The Mirror reports her lawyers are so concerned by the work of the army of helpers he hired that they want to overturn the £287,000 confidentiality agreement Ms Mayorga signed.


It comes after his lawyers sensationally claimed that a cyber-criminal had fabricated stolen documents to make him look guilty of rape.

Ronaldo's lawyer Peter Christiansen said paperwork published by German magazine Der Spiegel had been hacked from computers and altered.

American Mr Christiansen said the Portuguese forward faced “an elaborate and deliberate defamation campaign based on stolen, easily manipulated digital documents”.

He added: “It is my understanding that in 2015, dozens of entities (including law firms) across many different industries throughout Europe were hacked and their electronic data was stolen.

“This hacker attempted to sell this data and one media outlet has now irresponsibly published the stolen documents, significant portions of which were altered and/or completely fabricated.”

Ronaldo has branded rape allegations against him as an attempt to destroy a reputation "built on hard work, athleticism and honour".

The £100million forward issued a blistering statement after saying he "compelled to no longer stand silent" after Kathryn Mayorga accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2009.

Accuser Kathryn, 34, says the incident took place at the Palms Casino Resort in June 2009, while Ronaldo, 33, celebrated his big money move to Real Madrid.

The teacher now claims she only signed the settlement because she was “terrified of retaliation” from the player and her lawyers are now suing Ronaldo.

He says the motivations for signing the resolution "have been twisted to say the least" and labels the accusations as part of an "elaborate and deliberate defamation campaign".

Mr Christiansen admitted for the first time that the former Manchester United idol had signed a non-disclosure agreement with Ms Mayorga.

He stressed that the reported £287,000 deal in 2010 was “by no means a confession of guilt” but to avoid attempts to destroy a reputation “built on hard work, athleticism and honour”.

Video footage has also emerged of Ronaldo, who now plays for Italian giants Juventus, relaxing by a hotel pool on the day of the alleged rape.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has re-opened its investigation into the alleged rape.


Cristiano Ronaldo statement in full

But Ronaldo firmly denies the claims of sexual misconduct  and said he is "confident that the truth will survive this frenzy".

In the statement the lawyer representing Ronaldo states: "What occurred in 2009 in Las Vegas was consensual in nature.

"Mr Ronaldo was advised to privately resolve the allegation against him in order to avoid the inevitable attempts that are now being made to destroy a reputation that has been built upon hard work, athleticism and honour."



Source: Read Full Article