New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing criminal charges related to a Dec. 2 incident in Dedham, as first reported by Boston 25 News.
According to court documents, Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges.
Diggs' attorney, Michael DiStefano, reportedly made a remote appearance in Dedham District Court on Tuesday, seeking to have the police report impounded and arguing that the details should remain sealed.
DiStefano also disclosed to the court that Diggs has made a financial offer to resolve the dispute with the alleged victim in the case.
“As we speak, they’re working to come to an agreement on that,” DiStefano said, according to Boston 25 News.
As of late Tuesday morning, a judge had not yet made any rulings.
The Patriots released a statement late Tuesday morning:
“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.”
The NFL also released a statement Tuesday afternoon:
“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”
Boston 25 News reports that Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, Jan. 23, which would be two days before a potential AFC Championship Game. DiStefano requested that arraignment be postponed to March, after the NFL season, and the judge is considering that request.
Diggs is the Patriots' leading receiver this season, with 82 receptions for 970 yards in 16 games.
UPDATE: The judge released the incident report Tuesday afternoon. In it, the victim alleges that Diggs and the victim exchanged text messages over money the victim claims Diggs owed them. The victim was working as a private chef for Diggs. The victim alleges the dispute escalated to a physical altercation, and that Diggs smacked the victim in the face and choked them with an elbow around the neck.
Diggs' attorney, David Meier, released the following statement:
"Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. 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."