New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs has reportedly been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges as the result of an alleged Dec. 2 incident, according to Boston 25 News.
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According to the police report, the alleged victim, who identified herself as Diggs’ personal chef, claimed the incident occurred during a dispute over her pay. The victim alleged Diggs hit her and placed his hands around her neck, causing her to struggle to breathe and to feel lightheaded.
“She said that she is normally paid by wire transfer, and the initial agreement was for weekly pay. She said that since she has been working, she has been getting paid monthly instead,” according to the police report. “As of now, she said that she still believes she is owed a month’s pay.”
“You will be paying me out for the season & the money you said you would give me,” the victim, who told police she had worked for Diggs since July, wrote in a text to the Patriots receiver.
“I don’t gotta do a mf thing…You can get whoever you want,” Diggs responded. “You got my address, tell them come take the money.”
After the alleged assault took place, the victim told police that she received messages from Diggs asking her to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Diggs made a remote court appearance Tuesday morning with his attorney attempting to have the police report impounded. Attorney Michael DiStefano argued that the details of the charges should remain sealed. DiStefano also reportedly told the court that Diggs offered a financial settlement to resolve the issue with the alleged victim.
“As we speak, they’re working to come to an agreement on that,” DiStefano said.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” read a statement from the team on Tuesday. “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Another attorney for Diggs, David Meier, sent a statement to ESPN that said the allegations were “unsubstantiated.”
” Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations,” Meier said. “They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur. The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.”
The NFL also released a statement that read, “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”
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There is a Jan. 23 scheduled arraignment for Diggs. Should the Patriots advance in the NFL playoffs, the AFC championship game is set for Sunday, Jan. 25.
The judge in the case will reportedly consider a request to extend the arraignment date to March.
The 32-year-old Diggs is in his 11th NFL season and first with the Patriots after signing a three-year, $69 million to join the team in March. Through 16 games this season he has 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns.
