The last few years have forced many gamers to take an uncomfortable look at the culture of sexual harassment infecting some aspects of the space. From the Ubisoft scandals that began last year and Activision-Blizzard’s toxic workplace culture to the rampant harassment in the Super Smash Bros. community, there’s no arguing the problem isn’t real.
The ongoing saga of former professional Super Smash Bros. player Gonzalo ‘ZeRo’ Barrios is one of many similar controversies. Now, a new chapter begins with the news that ZeRo recently filed a lawsuit against his former roommate and fellow Sky House member Jacqueline ‘Jisu’ Choe. He claims that Jisu committed defamation and caused emotional distress by spreading allegations of sexual misconduct.
Retired professional Smash player ZeRo hinted at taking legal action during his return to YouTube in November. The story first began last July when Jisu went public with allegations against her former roommate. She accused ZeRo of showing her pornography when she was underage and being physically abusive with his now-wife, Vanessa. Jisu also claimed that ZeRo started dating Vanessa when she was fifteen, and he was twenty, though it later turned out that the couple was only two years apart. Other women came forward with allegations against ZeRo, including the claim that he solicited explicit photos from a fourteen-year-old fan.
ZeRo confessed to the charges last July and voluntarily banned himself from Super Smash Bros. tournaments. However, ZeRo resurfaced last month to recant his earlier confession. He claims he confessed during a depressive episode triggered by the stress of the allegations and his inability to prove his innocence. It’s worth noting that ZeRo has a history of depression and was hospitalized after a suicide attempt last year.
ZeRo filed suit against Jisu in Los Angeles on November 19th. The lawsuit alleges that Jisu knowingly spread false information to defame his character. Specifically, he accuses her of lying about Vanessa’s age and the physical abuse. Additionally, the lawsuit denies that ZeRo offered to fly in an underaged girl for sex but did not address the accusation of soliciting pornographic images from a minor.
ZeRo and his attorneys argue that Jisu is legally responsible for Tempo Storm and Facebook Gaming terminating their contracts with the former professional Super Smash Bros. player. Said contracts were worth over $2 million. The lawsuit seeks an unknown amount in damages for defamation and emotional distress.
Jisu responded to the lawsuit on Twitter, saying, “I am angry, I am tired, but mostly– I am disappointed. Disappointed that those who abuse others cannot accept the consequences of their actions, and disappointed in those who continue to support them.” She additionally started a GoFundMe to help pay for her legal defense, but it appears to have been taken down.
Source: Legal Complaint on Scribd