Antonio Brown Accused Of Raping Woman

FOXBOROUGH, MA — New Patriots receiver Antonio Brown was accused of raping his former trainer in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Florida, The New York Times reported late Tuesday night. Brown was accused of sexually assaulting the trainer, a woman, twice in June 2017 and once in May 2018.

Brown denied the accusations in a statement released by his attorney, Darren Heitner.

"Antonio Brown will leave no stone unturned and will aggressively defend himself, including exercising all of his rights in countersuits," Heitner tweeted.

The lawsuit alleges Brown exposed himself to and kissed the woman without permission in June 2017. Later that month he performed an unwanted sex act involving her, the lawsuit said. The woman stopped working for Brown, who, the lawsuit claims, then raped her the following year.

The Patriots late Tuesday night said they are aware of the lawsuits and take the allegations "very seriously. Under no circumstance does this organization condone sexual violence or assault."

The NFL is investigating the allegations. The league can levy discipline without a legal ruling.

Brown, who was signed with the Patriots this week, was an All-Pro receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time of the allegations. He was traded to Oakland this offseason; the Raiders released him Saturday following a bizarre string of behavior that included a public blowup with his general manager and refusing to play because of disputes over the kind of helmet he would be allowed to use.

Brown signed with the Patriots this week, shortly after being released by the Raiders.