Stefon Diggs is facing serious criminal allegations after police say the star NFL receiver slapped and then choked a woman at his Massachusetts home earlier this month.
According to a police report, the alleged incident took place on the night of Dec. 2 at Diggs’ $2.5 million home in Dedham, a Boston suburb about 15 miles south of the city. Diggs, 32, has since been charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault.
Diggs, who plays for the New England Patriots and is publicly known as the boyfriend of Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, is scheduled to be arraigned in Dedham District Court on Jan. 23. Cardi B is not the alleged victim in the case.
The timing of the court date is notable, as it falls just two days before the playoff-bound Patriots could potentially compete in the AFC Championship Game.
According to the police report, the woman told officers that she and Diggs got into a dispute over money. She initially reported the incident to police on Dec. 16 but declined to press charges at that time. Days later, on Dec. 23, she contacted authorities again and said she wanted to move forward with charges.
During her initial interview, the woman told police she had been employed by Diggs and quit her job the night of the alleged incident.
Diggs, who is in the first year of a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots, has strongly denied the accusations.
“They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur,” Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, stated. “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.”
The Patriots also issued a statement supporting the wide receiver.
“Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations,” the team said. “We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary.”
The organization added that it would have no further comment “out of respect for all parties involved.”
The National Football League confirmed it is aware of the charges against Diggs and said it is monitoring the situation.
It remains unclear how the case may impact Diggs’ availability moving forward as the legal process unfolds.