Antonio Brown, who just left the Oakland Raiders to sign with the New England Patriots after a series of pre-season arguments with management, was accused in a new federal civil lawsuit filed by a former trainer and classmate at Central Michigan University of “three separate incidents of sexual assault and rape”:
BREAKING: Patriots WR Antonio Brown accused of three separate incidents of sexual assault and rape, according to federal lawsuit filed Tuesday: https://t.co/wFAijgADJK
— Ben Shpigel (@benshpigel) September 11, 2019
From the NY Times:
The lawsuit says that Brown — in three separate incidents, two in June 2017 and another in May 2018 — sexually assaulted a woman named Britney Taylor, a gymnast whom he met while they were attending Central Michigan together and whom he later hired as a trainer.
The lawsuit was filed one day after Brown, 31, became a Patriot following a brief, turbulent tenure with the Oakland Raiders that ended when he requested his release last week. Late Tuesday night, the Patriots issued a statement saying that the N.F.L. planned to do its own investigation of the accusations against Brown.
“Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit,” said a statement from Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown. “He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations.”
We’re seeing an unconfirmed report that Brown will counter-sue:
Source: #Patriots WR Antonio Brown intends to countersue his accuser for civil extortion, at this time.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 11, 2019
The NFL told the Patriots that they will be investigated the allegations:
“The league has informed us that they will be investigating.”
The latest news story on #Patriots WR Antonio Brown, who is accused of rape in a civil lawsuit: https://t.co/r0yF9xfSQq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2019
Statement from the Patriots:
Patriots statement on Antonio Brown: pic.twitter.com/sIOB8ujq1l
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 11, 2019
There are parallels to other high-profile cases:
Parallels between the Antonio Brown case and the Derrick Rose sexual assault civil case. Both were filed as civil lawsuits without a prior police report being filed. Rose was found not liable. And the NBA waited for the civil justice system to play out. NFL should do the same.
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) September 11, 2019
And here’s O.J. Simpson wondering how the allegations will affect Brown in his fantasy football league:
OJ gets down to the crux of the matter: If Antonio Brown IS a rapist, how will it affect his Fantasy team? https://t.co/nCzg3rd90B
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton1) September 11, 2019
Always classy, O.J.
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