A police document detailing the allegations against Stefon Diggs has been released.
On December 30, news broke that Diggs has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation, along with misdemeanour assault and battery.
The wide receiver for the New England Patriots has denied these accusations, and the team has expressed their support for him.
In a statement shared by ESPN, the team said: “The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. 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.”
Diggs’ attorney, Michael DiStefano, had requested that the police report concerning the alleged incident on December 2 remain sealed, but a judge ruled for its release to the public.
According to court documents and a report from the Dedham Police Department, obtained by Boston 25 News (via Yahoo! Sports), the alleged victim is a woman who claimed to be Diggs’ former personal chef.
Dated December 16, the report indicates that she hesitated to file it due to Diggs’ high profile.
During the incident, a disagreement over payment reportedly occurred, with the chef asserting that the NFL star owed her a month’s salary.
It is alleged that Diggs struck the woman and then put his hands around her neck, leading her to feel lightheaded. She reportedly experienced pain and difficulty swallowing, fearing for her safety and fearing she ‘could have blacked out’.
Police noted in the report: “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.
“As of now, she said that she still believes she is owed a month’s pay.”
It is believed that the chef had been employed by Diggs since July, but resigned after the alleged incident, following which Diggs allegedly requested she sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The report also mentioned that attempts to contact Diggs were made several times before the report was officially filed.
David Meier, Diggs’ lawyer, addressed The Independent, stating that the accusations against the NFL star are ‘unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur’. He emphasized: “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.”
An arraignment for the Patriots player is set for January 23.
Efforts to reach Diggs’ representative for comment have been made.