Sex Assault Charges Filed Against Mateen Cleaves, Former MSU Star

Mateen Cleaves, former Michigan State University standout and NBA player, was accused Tuesday of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman he met at a charity golf outing last year.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy alleged in a statement that Cleaves, 39, of Grand Blanc, drove the woman to a Mundy Township motel around 1 a.m. on Sept. 15, held her against her will and sexually assaulted her.

“The evidence in this case will show that the alleged actions of this defendant were not only criminal, but arose out of a sense of entitlement sometimes found in prominent people,” Worthy said in the statement.

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The alleged victim, her boyfriend and several others had been introduced to Cleaves at a charity golf outing, then accompanied him to a local bar, where they had drinks, Worthy said. While the woman's boyfriend drove a friend home, the alleged victim rode in Cleaves' car, thinking they would meet up with the rest of the group, Worthy said.

Instead, he drove her to the motel, Worthy alleged. After the alleged assault, the woman was able to escape the room, and received assistance from a woman in a nearby room, according to the statement.

The alleged offenses occurred in West Grand Blanc, but the case was transferred to Wayne County after Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton cited a possible conflict of interest. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey will prosecute the case in Genesee County.

Cleaves led the Spartans to a national championship in 2000 and was named the most valuable player in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament that year. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, and also played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings, Seattle Supersonics, Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleaves is expected to turn himself in for processing and appear for arraignment in 67th District Court in Genesee County at 9 a.m. Thursday.

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