Stefon Diggs is facing criminal charges for an alleged incident after the New England Patriots' victory against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football earlier this month, Boston 25 News reports.
The Patriots star has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The alleged incident happened on Dec. 2, but further details have not been made public. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23.
The Patriots have since released a statement and said that Diggs denies the allegations.
"The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs," reads the statement. "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 attorney representing Diggs, Michael DiStefano, appeared remotely in Dedham District Court on Tuesday (Dec. 30). He argued that the police report on the incident should be impounded and the details of the allegations should remain sealed. Diggs and his legal representatives have made a settlement offer to the alleged victim. "As we speak, they're working to come to an agreement on that," he said.
The NFL also released a statement.
"We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club," the league said. "We have no further comment at this time."
Diggs' attorney released the following statement to TMZ.
"Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations," David Meier said. "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."
The news comes shortly after Diggs helped lead the Patriots to their first AFC East division title in six years. After the Patriots' 42-10 win against the New York Jets on Sunday (Dec. 28), a video shared on social media showed him searching for Cardi B, with whom he shares a child, in the stands.