A woman whose false claim of rape sent former prep football star Brian Banks to prison was ordered to pay a $2.6 million judgment in connection with the case.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered Wanetta Gibson (seen below) to pay a $1.5 million, plus an additional $1.1 million in fees, including for making a false claim and court-related costs.
Gibson was a former high-school acquaintance of Banks in 2002 when she accused him of raping her at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, according to the California Innocence Project, an organization that helped exonerate Banks.
Gibson sued the Long Beach Unified School District claiming the school was not safe and won a $1.5 million settlement.
On February 27th, 2011 Brian was contacted by the alleged victim via a Facebook friend request and private message wanting to reconcile their friendship and as she put it, “let bygones be bygones.” Brian, realizing the opportunity to prove his innocence, falls to his knees, praying to God for an answer. And with that, his proceeded to play the role of interest. They agreed to meet. Brian immediately contacted a local private investigator to video and audio record the meeting.
Gibson ultimately said she lied and made up the story so a judge reversed Banks’ conviction on May 24, 2012.
After 5 years and 2 months of incarceration, nearly 5 years on strict parole and sex offender registration, an electronic GPS device attached to his ankle, and a number of other crazy circumstances, Brian has finally been EXONERATED!
Banks was picked up and signed this year to play with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
