Kobe Bryant Settles Civil Case

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has agreed in principle to a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought against him by a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a hotel resort in June 2003. The report has not been confirmed by either of the lawyers and the Lakers refused to comment. ABC News cited sources as saying the settlement covers emotional and physical injuries the accuser claims she suffered in connection with the alleged rape. On Monday, Bryant's deposition was postponed, prompting speculation that a settlement was being worked on. ABC News reported the agreement could be signed by both sides as early as Friday. The lawsuit was filed in federal court last summer, three weeks before the criminal case against Bryant was dropped because the accuser said she could not take part in a trial. Married with a 1-year-old daughter, Bryant apologized to the woman after the criminal case was dropped, but insisted the sex was consensual. Bryant is second in the league in scoring, averaging 27.6 points per game after signing a seven-year, $136 million contract with the Lakers last summer.