Bucs QB Jameis Winston Sued by Uber Driver Over Alleged Groping

The female Uber driver who was allegedly groped by Jameis Winston has filed a lawsuit in federal court.

The incident reportedly happened in March 2016 and eventually led to the Tamba Bay Buccaneers quarterback being suspended for three games of the current NFL season after an eight-month investigation.

According to ESPN and USA Today, the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona claims Winston only "issued a hollow apology" in July, despite being hit by a three-game suspension.

The Bucs quarterback had initially denied the allegation when it first emerged, before eventually apologizing to the driver for "the position I put you in."

The plaintiff, who was identified as Kate P. in the lawsuit, also states Winston "has a history of sexually hostile behavior and appears to be no closer to understanding the impact of his conduct."

The Bucs star had been picked up a club in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was on the way back to his hotel when the incident unfolded.

The lawsuit alleges that one of Winston's friends told him: "She is hot. You should sit in the front seat, Jameis."

Shortly after boarding the taxi, Winston became "belligerent" with some pedestrians before instructing the driver to stop at a restaurant so he could get some food. While waiting in the drive-thru line of Los Betos restaurant "leaned toward [her] and placed his fingers between her legs and pressed them firmly against her vagina over her yoga pants."

Once she confronted Winston, he withdrew his hand. The driver then spoke about the incident with her boyfriend but opted not to file a report with the police. She did, however, share details of the incident with Uber the next day, who then contacted Winston.

Eight months after the incident happened, the woman first revealed her story.

At the time, she told BuzzFeed she would not seek financial retribution, as she wanted to reveal the truth "about a powerful man who felt entitled to my body when all I wanted to do was my job."

However, her stance has since changed and the plaintiff's attorney, John Clune, said his client was now seeking damages in the excess of $75,000 because of the "damages in the nature of emotional distress and future therapy expenses."

A month after the incident, the Buccaneers picked up the fifth-year option on Winston's contract. He was banned by the NFL two months later. The league's investigation concluded that the former Florida State student had engaged in detrimental conduct by "touching the driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner without her consent and that disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate."

The NFL also added it had found the driver's version of events "consistent and credible." Conversely, Winston initially claimed others were in the car with him, while the driver alleges in the lawsuit he was the only passenger.

Winston, who has been banned from using Uber for life following the incident, was also accused of sexual assault while at Florida State.

However, prosecutors chose not to file charges and he settled a federal lawsuit with his accuser in 2016.