NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
New England Patriots player Stefon Diggs has been charged with a number of serious criminal violations, according to Dedham District Court documents.
The charges allegedly include aggravated strangulation or strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 2.
In a statement obtained by Pakinomist Digital, David Meier, one of Diggs’ attorneys, confirmed that the veteran NFL wide receiver categorically denies the claims made against him, adding that the dispute was between an employer and an employee.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, unverified and 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 to establish the truth in a court of law. Stefon looks forward to the law.”
Stefon Diggs (8) of the New England Patriots stands before a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A police narrative in a court filing on the case said a woman came to the Dedham Police Department on Dec. 16 to say that two weeks earlier, while working as a private chef for Diggs, he came into her bedroom and became angry during an argument about money.
The woman told police that Diggs “slapped her in the face,” she tried to push him away, and then “he tried to choke her by using his elbow around her neck.”
SAINTS COACH KELLEN MOORE DISCUSSES USING JUSTIN TUCKER FOR WORKOUTS: ‘HE’S BEEN THROUGH AN EXPERIENCE’
“She said he was behind her with his arm wrapped around her,” Officer Kenneth J. Ellis wrote. “She said she felt like she was having trouble breathing and that she felt like she might have blacked out.”
Diggs threw her on a bed and called her “lies” when she told him she hadn’t been paid, Ellis wrote. The cook sought payment for a week in November when Diggs had house guests and she had to go home, Ellis wrote. The woman “left her position” and home in Dedham, but returned on Dec. 9 to collect her property. At that point, she told police, Diggs referred her to his assistant, who told the woman she had to sign a nondisclosure agreement before she would be paid. She did not sign, the police said.
The woman was reluctant to press charges until last week, Ellis wrote, when “she let me know she had a change of heart from a few days ago” and wanted to press charges.
The four-time NFL Pro Bowler is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 23. The AFC Championship match is scheduled to start on January 25. A judge is expected to consider a request to move the hearing to a later date.
Stefon Diggs #8 of the New England Patriots makes a one-handed catch during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Michael DiStefano, another member of Diggs’ legal team, appeared at the courthouse Tuesday and asked that the police report be impounded to keep details under seal, Boston 25 News reported.
DiStefano also told the local outlet that Diggs proposed financial compensation to the alleged victim to expedite the resolution of the case. “As we speak, they are working to reach an agreement on that,” he said.
In a statement, the team acknowledged the situation and said the 32-year-old receiver denied the claims against him. “The New England Patriots are aware of the allegations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations,” the organization said in a statement obtained by multiple outlets.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots warms up before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 5, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
“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 said in a separate statement: “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”
Diggs signed a three-year contract with the Patriots last season. In his first season in New England, Diggs recorded 970 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 16 games.
Last month, he welcomed a child with music star Cardi B.
