SANTA ANA, Calif. — Former NBA bad boy Dennis Rodman testified Thursday in a civil trial that he doesn't remember meeting a woman who accused him of sexual assault.
The suit alleges Rodman drugged, raped and imprisoned former waitress Jo Len Ann McGowen in his Newport Beach home in March 2001. Rodman, 42, has been sued at least twice in the past for allegedly assaulting women.
The suit filed by McGowen, 39, alleges Rodman met her at a Newport Beach restaurant that he co-owns and gave her beer that she claims was laced with a narcotic. She said she was taken to Rodman's home nearby, raped several times and prevented from leaving as she slipped in and out of consciousness.
Rodman, sporting midnight blue hair and multiple rings in his nose, lips and ears, said Thursday he doesn't recall meeting the plaintiff and denied raping her.
"I have no recollection of Ms. McGowen," said Rodman, who said he sometimes drinks heavily but denies using or giving anyone drugs. "I don't think anyone can remember where they were in March 2001."
The suit accuses Rodman of sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and battery and assault, and seeks unspecified damages. No criminal charges were ever filed against Rodman.
McGowen's attorney portrayed Rodman as a celebrity who believes he is above the law.
"My theme in this case is 'bad as I want to be,"' said attorney Marcus Mancini, referring to the title of the athlete's autobiography, published several years ago. "Because Mr. Rodman considers himself above the fray. Mr. Rodman considers himself different from the rest of us."
Rodman's attorney, John McKay, said in court that McGowen couldn't even remember the exact date of the alleged incident but bragged to her friends that she had sex with Rodman.
When Rodman arrived at the bar, she went directly to him and wouldn't leave him alone all night long, McKay said.
The allegations are nearly identical to those made against Rodman by another woman, who claims she was sexually assaulted by Rodman at his home four years ago.
Former Playboy model Tina New filed a $10 million suit against Rodman that was recently settled out of court. No criminal charges were ever filed against Rodman in that case as well.
McKay called McGowen's case "a copycat" of New's case.
Rodman said he is being unfairly accused in these lawsuits by women who are trying to capitalize on the star's bad boy image.
"I look at this like, 'Dennis Rodman he is very colorful, he's very different,"' Rodman, who was accompanied by his wife, Michelle Moyer, said outside court. "That's why this is happening."
Since retiring from the NBA, Rodman has had more than 70 visits by Newport Beach police over loud parties at his home and a conviction for drunken driving.
In May 2002, Rodman reached a settlement with a Las Vegas casino worker who claimed he was humiliated when Rodman rubbed dice on his head, chest, stomach and genitals at the Mirage in 1997.
Earlier this month, Rodman announced his desire to make a comeback in the NBA.
Rodman, a key member of the Chicago Bulls championship teams from 1996-1998, married Moyer, 36, in May. The two met in a bar four years ago and have two children together but continue to live apart.
Rodman is not expected to testify Friday when the trial resumes.