A restraining order petition against Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua has been formally dropped in California. The woman who filed it, Madison Atiabi, has elected to withdraw the petition to concentrate her efforts on a separate civil lawsuit against the NFL player.
Legal Shift to Civil Proceedings
In a statement, Joseph Kar, the attorney representing Atiabi, confirmed the voluntary withdrawal of the civil harassment petition. "In order to focus our efforts on the civil matter that was filed on March 25, 2026, Plaintiff has elected to voluntarily withdraw without prejudice her petition for civil harassment," Kar stated. This legal manoeuvre allows Atiabi to potentially refile the restraining order in the future if necessary, while she now prioritises the civil case.
Serious Allegations of Assault and Antisemitism
The civil lawsuit, obtained by The Daily Mail, contains grave allegations against Nacua. It claims that during a dinner on New Year's Eve, Nacua made an unprovoked antisemitic statement, shouting, "F*** all the Jews." The filing notes that Atiabi, who is of the Jewish faith, was immediately distressed by the remark.
The alleged physical assault followed. According to the lawsuit, an inebriated Nacua, without warning or consent, bit the thumb of Atiabi's female companion with significant force, causing her to scream in pain. The document states he then turned to Atiabi and forcibly bit her left shoulder, leaving a distinct circular teeth imprint and injuring her. Atiabi screamed and attempted to push him away.
A photograph of the alleged bite mark on Atiabi's shoulder was included in the initial restraining order petition. She had previously filed a police report regarding the incident in early January.
Nacua's Forceful Denial and Counter-Threats
Puka Nacua has vehemently denied all allegations. His attorney, Levi McCathern, stated Nacua denies them "in the strongest possible terms" and has vowed to file a defamation lawsuit against Atiabi. McCathern asserts that Nacua had never met or seen Atiabi prior to these accusations and has not seen her since.
McCathern has accused Atiabi of attempting to "blackmail" the NFL star. He revealed plans to escalate their legal response, telling the Daily Mail, "We will be filing a defamation lawsuit and pursuing all available legal remedies in response to these false and damaging statements."
Contradictory Narratives of the Night
The accounts of what transpired that night are starkly contradictory. McCathern has characterised the incident as "horseplay" during a party, insisting nothing more than a "temporary mark" was left on Atiabi.
However, Joseph Kar, Atiabi's lawyer, strongly rebutted that characterisation in comments to TMZ. He accused McCathern of using "reductive commentary and hyperbole" to smear his client and distract from Nacua's actions, which he described as a "fit of alcoholic violence."
"This is not in any way a 'horseplay' event," Kar stated. "Mr. Nacua and [his] crisis management team will not deny there was an attack involving Mr. Nacua's lips, mouth, and teeth gnashing down on [her] shoulder in a violent and provocative manner, and then passing out cold."
Ongoing Police Investigation and New Footage
Kar's statement also served as a reminder that the Los Angeles Police Department continues to investigate Atiabi's allegations against Nacua.
Adding another layer to the case, footage emerged this week from the night of the alleged incident. A video obtained by TMZ appears to show a woman alleged to be Atiabi provocatively dancing or "twerking" in the back of a Sprinter van. The racy dancing is said by TMZ to have occurred after Nacua allegedly bit her. In the video, Nacua can be seen passed out on a seat in the background.
Seeking Damages and Next Steps
In her civil lawsuit, Madison Atiabi is seeking substantial compensation. She demands "general and compensatory damages in an amount to be proven at trial" as well as "special damages including medical expenses, past and future."
With the restraining order petition now withdrawn, the legal battle shifts squarely to the civil courtroom and the ongoing police probe. Nacua's promised defamation lawsuit against his accuser looms as a potential counter-strike, setting the stage for a protracted and public legal conflict.
