DENVER - Kobe Bryant's defense team says the woman accusing him of rape has received more than $17,000 from a victims' compensation fund in what it calls a rich incentive to pursue a false claim against the NBA star, according to a court transcript released yesterday.
The 20-year-old woman - Kate Faber- would be ineligible for at least $17,000 she has already received if she lied about the alleged rape, defense attorney Pamela Mackey argued in a June 21 hearing. She said the woman would have to reimburse the fund if lies were discovered - even more incentive to go forward with the case.
Mackey said the compensation records should be admitted as evidence because they show the accuser had a financial interest in continuing her participation in the case.
"[The accuser] has profited to an enormous amount. Twenty thousand dollars, I would suspect, to most people in this county, is a lot of money . . . " she said.
It was unclear whether the compensation information will be allowed as evidence. District Judge Terry Ruckriegle released the partial transcript along with a sealed ruling on use of the material.
The judge released the transcript of the closed-door hearing after being pressured by the Colorado Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer to settle a First Amendment fight.
A transcript of closed hearings on June 21 and June 22 were mistakenly e-mailed to seven media organizations, which held off on publishing the contents while they challenged a contempt-of-court threat from the judge.
Prosecution spokeswoman Krista Flannigan said the accuser remains determined to go forward with the case.
"Her resolve has not changed," she said.
