New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing serious criminal charges stemming from an alleged altercation at his Massachusetts home earlier this month, according to court filings and a police report obtained by multiple outlets.

Diggs, 32, has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery related to an incident that allegedly occurred on Dec. 2 at his $2.5 million residence in Dedham, about 15 miles south of Boston. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Dedham District Court on Jan. 23, just days before the AFC Championship Game, should the Patriots advance that far in the playoffs.

The incident allegedly happened on Dec. 2 at Diggs’ $2.5 million home in Dedham, Mass., a suburb of Boston located just 15 miles south of the city. The alleged victim, who told police she worked for Diggs as a personal chef, reported that she approached Diggs about back pay she claimed he owed her, and things quickly escalated. According to the police report, the woman told police that she was in her bedroom when Diggs walked in after the two had “been having an ongoing text exchange over money owed to [her].” In one message, the woman wrote, “You will be paying me out for the season & the money you said you would give me,” with Diggs responding, “I don’t gotta do a mf thing…You can get whoever you want,” followed by, “You got my address, tell them come take the money.”

Diggs and the woman began to discuss the matter, which “apparently angered” the NFL star. The victim alleges that Diggs then “smacked her across the face,” and she pushed him away, with Diggs then accused of again attacking the woman, who alleged that he “tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.” The victim told police that she “did have trouble breathing and could’ve blacked out,” and also alleged that “as she tried to pry [Diggs’] arm away, he tightened his grip.”   The police report stated the alleged victim stated that “he said that she is normally paid by wire transfer, and the initial agreement was for weekly pay. She said that since she has been working, she has been getting paid monthly instead … As of now, she said that she still believes she is owed a month’s pay.” (per Boston25).

The woman left the home that night and initially reported the incident to police on Dec. 16, but declined to file formal charges at that time. She later changed her mind and formally requested charges be filed on Dec. 23. She told investigators she quit her job with Diggs the night of the alleged incident and later received messages from him asking her to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Diggs, who is in the first season of a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots, has strongly denied the allegations. His attorney, David Meier, said in a statement: “Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. 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.”

Another attorney for Diggs, Michael DiStefano, appeared remotely in court during a recent motion hearing, arguing that the police report and related documents should remain sealed due to concerns about prejudicial publicity. DiStefano also told the court that Diggs has made a financial offer in an attempt to resolve the dispute, saying, “As we speak, they’re working to come to an agreement on that.” The judge overseeing the case is expected to decide whether court records will be impounded and may also consider a request to push the arraignment to March.

The Patriots acknowledged the situation in a statement, saying: “The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. 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 NFL also confirmed it is aware of the case, stating, “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”

Diggs is in his 11th NFL season, and first with New England after signing in March. He has recorded 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns through 16 games this year.

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