Former Smash pro ZeRo issues lawsuit against Jisu for sexual misconduct and grooming claims

Smash content creator and streamer Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios has issued a lawsuit against former roommate Jacqueline “Jisu” Choe, accusing her of "defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress" following allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming that occurred in July 2020.

According to Dot Esports, who obtained a copy of the lawsuit, ZeRo filed suit on 19th November in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and is looking for compensation after claims he describes as misleading and "big exaggerations" directly impacted his career.

ZeRo would lose contracts with Facebook Gaming and Tempo Storm, got his Twitch channel banned, and stopped making content for over a year as a result of the allegations made by Jisu. 

Some of these include ZeRo and his now-wife Vanessa dating when she was 15 and he was over 19, adding that Barrios abused her -- both claims categorically denied by the document, explaining that the couple has a 31-month age gap and that no instances of physical abuse ever happened. 

Another claim that the lawsuit disputes is ZeRo offering an underage girl a paid trip so they could meet in a hotel room. "Choe’s accusation that Barrios sought to fly a minor to meet in a hotel for sexual gratification is false and defamation per se," the document reads.

One thing that the lawsuit fails to debunk or acknowledge as defamatory is ZeRo's alleged request for explicit content from an underage girl via Skype. While Barrios himself denied it in a recent YouTube video, even those adamantly defending him such as controversial content creator Technicals, have stated that enough evidence exists to prove ZeRo did ask for graphic content from a 14-year-old. 

ZeRo attempted to take his own life this past March. In his last YouTube response on 16th November, the initial confession he wrote in July 2020 was, according to him, a "suicide letter" that should not be interpreted as a truthful statement. 

As a result of the lawsuit, Jisu has asked followers to help with the costs of the ordeal.

Im being sued by former Smash Bros Star @zerowondering

Last year I used my platform to expose his sexual abuse of children. He admitted it but now denies it n claims he lost his career bc of me, not bc he's a pedophile

Lawsuits r costly. Anything helps https://t.co/8QMB8QbagN

— Jisu (@JisuArtist) December 1, 2021

"It is truly depressing that it’s come to this. 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 added.

The resolution of the lawsuit remains to be seen. We'll keep you updated as the story develops.

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Featured image courtesy of ZeRo.