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Stefon Diggs Faces Criminal Charges, Including Strangulation, in Dispute with Former Chef
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been charged with strangulation and assault following an alleged altercation with his former chef, raising serious questions about the star player’s conduct and potentially impacting the AFC East champions’ season.
The charges,revealed after a court hearing in dedham,massachusetts,on Tuesday,include felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault. Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, vehemently denies the allegations, characterizing them as “unfounded and uncorroborated.”
Meier asserted that the timing of the accusations is suspect, attributing them to a financial dispute between the employee and her employer that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. “The timing and motivations for these allegations are abundantly clear,” Meier stated.
The New England Patriots acknowledged the charges, stating they were informed by Diggs that he “categorically refutes these allegations.” The team announced it is indeed conducting its own examination and will fully cooperate with authorities and the NFL. “We support Stefon,” a team spokesperson said in a press release.”Out of respect for the parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal proceeding, we will make no further comment at this time.”
According to a police report,the alleged incident occurred approximately two weeks before December 16,when the woman went to the Dedham police station to report the events. She told police that while working as Diggs’ live-in chef,Diggs entered her room and became enraged during a conversation about money. The woman alleges that Diggs slapped her, and when she attempted to defend herself, he allegedly attempted to strangle her by squeezing her neck with the crook of his elbow.
“She said he was behind her with his arm around her,” Officer Kenneth J. Ellis wrote in the report. The woman reportedly experienced difficulty breathing and feared losing consciousness. Diggs is also accused of throwing the woman onto a bed and falsely claiming she had already been paid.
The chef had been seeking payment for a week of work in November, during which she was called upon to return home while Diggs hosted guests. Upon returning to the Dedham residence on December 9 to retrieve her belongings, she was allegedly directed by Diggs to his assistant, who informed her that she would need to sign a confidentiality agreement before receiving payment. She refused to sign the agreement, police stated.
The woman was initially hesitant to pursue criminal charges, but “she let me know that she had changed her mind” and wished to move forward with prosecution, Ellis wrote. Her initial appearance is scheduled for january 23.
Diggs,32,has established himself as an elite wide receiver throughout his NFL career,excelling with the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills between 2018 and 2023. He boasts six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, including a career-high 1,535 yards in 2020. After a brief stint with Houston, Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots.
This season, Diggs ranks 15th in the NFL with 970 receiving yards, contributing to the Patriots’ success as champions of the AFC East section.
The unfolding situation adds another layer of complexity to the Patriots’ season, and the outcome of the legal proceedings could have important ramifications for Diggs’ career and the team’s future. Adding to the public interest,Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B has recently shared
