New England Patriots star Stefon Diggs allegedly assaulted his live-in private chef over a dispute about her pay.
Diggs, 32, entered the woman’s bedroom on December 2 to discuss a text message conversation they had been having about money she believed was owed to her, according to a police report obtained by Boston 25 News.
The chef said Diggs became “angered” by their discussion, which allegedly led to physical violence.
“She alleges that the male then smacked her across the face,” the report said. “She said that she tried to push him away. The male then tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck. She said that he was behind her with his arm wrapped around her. She said that she did feel like she had trouble breathing and that she felt like she could have blacked out.”
When the woman tried to pry Diggs’ arm away, he allegedly “tightened his grip” before throwing her on the bed.
“She told him that she still hasn’t been paid,” the report continued. “At that point, the male said ‘Lies’ and walked out of the room. She explained to me that he needs to sign off on payments in order for her to be paid, which is why she confronted him directly.”
The chef began working for Diggs in July and said her employment was supposed to last throughout the NFL season. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March.
In early November, the woman claimed Diggs told her that her employment was not needed during the week of November 7. Diggs allegedly told her she would have to pack up and leave her room for the week because he was “having house guests.”
“He told her to go home, and she said he did not provide any financial assistance for a flight,” the report said.
Because she did not request the time off, the woman insisted she “should still be paid her salary.”
“She said that this is the standard in this type of work arrangement,” the report added.
After the alleged assault, the woman left Diggs’ home to stay with a friend. She returned on December 9 to “get her property.”
“At that point, she texted with Diggs who told her to take up the monetary sum with his assistant,” the report said. “She spoke to ‘Melissa’ from Finance, who explained that Diggs had requested a signed non-disclosure agreement from [the woman] before she could be paid. [The woman] did not sign any such document.”
News broke on Tuesday, December 30, that Diggs was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations,” Diggs’ attorney David Meier said in a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday. “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, who are getting set for the NFL playoffs to begin next month, also issued a statement about the allegations against Diggs.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the team’s statement read. “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.”
Diggs is currently scheduled to be arraigned on January 23, two days before the AFC Championship Game.
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