BOSTON (AP) – New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is currently facing serious allegations of strangulation and other criminal charges following a dispute with his former private chef. The revelation of these charges came to light during a court hearing held in Dedham, Massachusetts on a recent Tuesday.
Diggs is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation along with misdemeanor assault and battery. His lawyer, David Meier, issued a statement asserting that Diggs "categorically denies these allegations." Meier described the claims as unsubstantiated and lacking corroboration. He further elaborated that the timing and motivation behind the allegations appear to stem from a financial dispute between Diggs and the former employee. Meier stated, "they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee's satisfaction."
The Patriots organization has publicly supported Diggs in light of the allegations, asserting, "We support Stefon." According to a police narrative filed in court, the incident reportedly occurred on December 2, when a woman, who worked as a private chef for Diggs, visited the Dedham Police Department. She claimed that during an argument about unpaid wages, Diggs entered her bedroom, slapped her across the face, and attempted to choke her by using the crook of his elbow around her neck. The woman described feeling as though she was struggling to breathe and feared she might lose consciousness during the altercation.
The police report also indicated that Diggs threw the chef onto a bed while dismissing her claims about the unpaid wages as "lies." The chef sought compensation for a week of work in November when Diggs hosted guests at his house. Following her departure from her position, she returned on December 9 to collect her belongings, only to be told by Diggs's assistant that a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) needed to be signed before she could receive her payment. The chef declined to sign the NDA, which eventually led her to file charges.
The chef hesitated to report the incident right away and changed her mind about pursuing criminal charges only a week before the hearing. As of now, Diggs, 32, has made a name for himself as a standout wide receiver in the NFL, having played for the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2023. Throughout his career, he achieved six consecutive seasons of over 1,000 yards receiving and earned four Pro Bowl selections. After a less than impressive stint with the Houston Texans, he signed a lucrative three-year deal worth $69 million with the New England Patriots, which included $26 million in guaranteed money.
Despite his recent legal troubles, Diggs has been a key player for the Patriots, providing a reliable target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. His contributions have been instrumental in helping the team secure the AFC East title as they head into the playoffs. However, Diggs's time with the Patriots has not been without controversy. Earlier this year, a video surfaced showing him allegedly passing a bag of pink crystals to women while on a boat, raising questions about the substance involved. Although the NFL declined to comment on the matter, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel assured that the team will manage the issue internally.
As the legal situation unfolds, the Patriots and their fans will be watching closely to see how these allegations will impact Diggs's career and the team's performance as they prepare for the postseason.
