At a Glance
- Stefon Diggs charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault after alleged attack on private chef in Dedham.
- Victim reported incident on Dec. 16 citing unpaid wages and fear of his fame.
- Arraignment set for Jan. 23.
Why it matters: The case could affect the Patriots’ roster and public image as they chase playoff hopes.
The New England Patriots’ star wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, faces serious criminal charges after a private chef reported an assault at his Dedham home. The incident, tied to a dispute over unpaid wages, has prompted a legal fight that could affect the Patriots’ season. The team and Diggs’ attorney have both denied the allegations.
Legal Proceedings
Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The complaint says the chef was smacked across the face and that Diggs tried to choke her with the crook of his elbow. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Jan. 23.
The chef came forward on Dec. 16, after initially hesitating because of Diggs’ fame. She said she was still owed money for her time working for him.
- Charge: felony strangulation or suffocation
- Charge: misdemeanor assault and battery
- Date of alleged incident: Dec. 2
- Date of report: Dec. 16
- Arraignment: Jan. 23
Team Response
The Patriots released a statement saying they are aware of the accusations and support Diggs, who “categorically denies” the claims. They will cooperate with authorities and the NFL, but will not comment further.
Attorney David Meier stated:
> “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 Patriots signed Diggs in March to a three-year, $69 million contract. He has been a key player for rookie quarterback Drake Maye as the team clinches the AFC East and vies for the No. 1 seed.
Key Takeaways
- Diggs faces felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges tied to a wage dispute.
- The Patriots support him but will cooperate with investigations.
- The case may influence the team’s playoff aspirations as they head into the final regular-season game.
With the arraignment looming, the Patriots’ season hangs in the balance as the legal drama unfolds.
