Brian Banks, exonerated ex-football star, wants money from California

Brian Banks, a former football star from California, had his rape conviction thrown out after the alleged victim recanted her story.

Banks had spent five years in prison after pleading no contest to forcible rape. He is now seeking money from California.

“We do not plan on taking any legal action against Gibson,” said Banks’ attorney, Justin Brooks of the California Innocence Project. He was referring to Banks’ accuser, Wanetta Gibson.

“We do plan on filing a state claim for the $100 a day Brian is entitled to under State Law 4900 for every day he was wrongfully incarcerated.”

Wanetta Gibson accused Banks of raping her at Long Beach Poly High School in 2001 when she was just 15.

Her mother sued the Long Beach school system, which led to a $750,000 settlement.

But years later, Gibson contacted Banks on Facebook. She admitted she lied about the incident, recanted her story, and offered to clear his name.

However, she refused to re-tell her story to prosecutors in fear of losing the money she received in the lawsuit.

Prosecutors say they will not pursue to charge Gibson with false accusations, stating it would be hard to prove.

Banks, now 26, was 17 when many believed the 6-foot-4, 225 pound athlete was bound for the NFL.

The University of California had offered him a full-scholarship. A few other division 1 schools were pursuing the linebacker.

Banks says he plans to try out for the NFL. He is also working on a documentary about his life.