New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his former private chef.
The allegations came to light after a court hearing in Dedham, Massachusetts, with arraignment scheduled for January 23.
What they’re saying: Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, stated that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations,” calling them unsubstantiated and the result of a financial dispute between employer and employee.
The big picture: In a court filing, police say a woman reported that on December 16, she was assaulted by Diggs two weeks earlier during an argument about pay at his Dedham home while working as his chef.
- According to the police report, the woman claimed Diggs struck her across the face, attempted to choke her with his arm around her neck, and threw her on a bed after she asked about unpaid wages.
- The woman told police she left her position but returned to collect property and was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement in exchange for payment, which she refused.
- The chef initially hesitated to press charges but changed her mind and proceeded with criminal accusations last week.
Zoom in; The Patriots publicly expressed their support for Diggs, who has built a strong NFL career with recent achievements in Minnesota, Buffalo, Houston, and now New England.
- He previously faced off-field scrutiny when a social media video showed him handling a bag of pink crystals, though no action resulted from that incident.
