1 of 5 | New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (L) faces a felony charge of strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor charge of assault and battery. File Photo by CJ Gunther/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) — New England Patriots star Stefon Diggs faces charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, Massachusetts court records show.
Diggs denied the allegations through statements from his lawyers and the Patriots. A criminal complaint filed through the Dedham Police Department and obtained Tuesday by UPI states that Diggs’ private chef opted to filed charges after he allegedly smacked and attempted to choke her during a Dec. 2 argument at his home.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the Patriots said. “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’ attorneys made a remote appearance at a motion hearing Tuesday in Dedham District Court. Court records show an arraignment scheduled for Jan. 23, two days before the AFC Championship game.
“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” the NFL said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”
Police said that Diggs’ chef gave an initial statement about the incident Dec. 16 at the Dedham Police Department. She said she previously communicated with Diggs, through text messages about money he allegedly owed to her and he entered her room at his home on Dec. 2 to further discuss the matter.
She told police that Diggs became angry during the discussion and “smacked her across the face” before trying to “choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.”
Diggs attorney David Meier told UPI that the allegations are “unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur.”
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations,” Meier said. “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.”
Diggs’ chef said that he also allegedly attempted to have her sign a non-disclosure agreement through an intermediary. She informed police on Dec. 23 that she wished for charges to be filed against Diggs. Her criminal complaint included screenshots of their alleged text message exchanges.
Diggs, 32, signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March. The four-time Pro Bowl selection, who welcomed a baby boy with girlfriend and rapper Cardi B in November, leads the Patriots with 82 catches and 970 receiving yards.
The Patriots (13-3) already clinched the AFC East division title, but remain in contention for the AFC’s top seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
They will host the Miami Dolphins (7-9) at 4:25 p.m. EST Sunday in Foxborough, Mass.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (C) celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings in Game 7 to win the World Series in Toronto on November 1, 2025. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
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