New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges following a dispute with his former private chef, according to police and court records.
The charges came to light after a court hearing held on Tuesday, December 30, in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation as well as misdemeanor assault and battery. A formal arraignment has been scheduled for January 23.
Diggs’ lawyer, David Meier, said in a statement that the NFL star “categorically denies these allegations,” describing the claims as unsubstantiated and unsupported by evidence. Meier added that the accusations stem from an unresolved financial dispute between Diggs and a former employee.
“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,” Meier said.
In a brief statement, the New England Patriots said the organisation is standing by the player, adding, “We support Stefon.”
According to a police narrative included in court filings, a woman reported to the Dedham Police Department on December 16 that an incident occurred about two weeks earlier while she was working as Diggs’ private chef. She alleged that Diggs entered her bedroom during a discussion about money, became angry, and struck her across the face. The woman told police she attempted to push him away before he allegedly tried to choke her by placing his arm around her neck from behind, causing difficulty breathing and making her feel as though she might black out.
Police said the woman also alleged that Diggs threw her onto a bed and accused her of lying when she said she had not been paid. The dispute reportedly centred on unpaid wages for a week in November when Diggs had houseguests and the chef was sent home. She later left her position and returned to the property on December 9 to retrieve her belongings, at which point she claimed she was told she would need to sign a non-disclosure agreement before receiving payment. She declined to sign the document, police said.
The woman was initially reluctant to pursue criminal charges but later changed her mind and formally requested that charges be filed, according to the police report.
Diggs, 32, is regarded as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, having recorded six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons between 2018 and 2023 during stints with Minnesota and Buffalo, and earning four Pro Bowl selections. His time with the Patriots has drawn attention off the field as well, including scrutiny earlier this year after a video surfaced online showing him handing what appeared to be pink crystals to women on a boat. The substance was never identified, and the NFL declined to comment.
Off the field, Diggs recently welcomed a son with Grammy Award-winning rapper Cardi B.