Stefon Diggs Charged with Felony Strangulation & Assault
Stefan Diggs has a lot more than playoffs to worry about in the coming months.
The New England Patriots star is facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. According to CBS Bostonthis is related to an incident that happened on 2nd december.
Attorneys for Diggs appeared in court on Tuesday, December 30, after paperwork was filed in Dedham District Court.
Diggs is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, January 23, for his arraignment—just two days before the AFC Championship Game.
According to reports from TMZThe person accusing Diggs is his former personal chef, who claims the NFL player hit her and tried to choke her out over a salary dispute.
According to the incident report, the female employee first went to police on Dec. 16, claiming she was working as a private chef on Dec. 2 when Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom to discuss an ongoing text exchange between the two about money she believed she owed.
During the conversation, she says Diggs became angry and slapped her across the face, and when she tried to push him away, he would “try to choke her with the crook of his elbow around her neck.”
The former employee claims the Patriots player was behind her with his arm wrapped around her, per TMZand she felt like she was having trouble breathing and “could have blacked out.” She claims Diggs then threw her on her bed and said something along the lines of “Thought so.”
The woman told police that she explained to Diggs she still hadn't paid, but he said, “Read” and ran out of the room. When asked about injuries she may have sustained, the woman claimed she had redness on her upper chest area, but did not take any pictures.
TMZ reports that she told police she started working for Diggs in July, and that she would work for him through the entire 2025 season. While she would probably be paid weekly, It was changed to monthly instead, and she had not received a month's salary at the time of the incident.
“The New England Patriots are aware of the allegations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the Patriots said in a statement. “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.”
This news comes as New England prepares to finish its 2025 regular season at home against the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots have already clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs by winning the AFC East, and can still capture the No. 1 seed if they beat Miami and the Denver Broncos lose to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Diggs is currently in the first year of a three-year contract with the Pats worth $69 million.
