New England Patriots Star Stefon Diggs Facing Strangulation, Assault Charge From December Incident With Private Chef

Stefon Diggs is facing serious criminal charges following an alleged altercation with his private chef earlier this month in Massachusetts.

According to police reports cited by NBC Boston and TMZ, the incident stems from a dispute over an allegedly unpaid paycheck. The chef told authorities that a heated argument began over text messages and later escalated in person when Diggs entered her room in Dedham, Massachusetts.

The alleged victim told police that Diggs struck her in the face and attempted to choke her using his elbow. She claimed his grip tightened when she tried to escape, before he allegedly threw her onto the bed. Investigators say the alleged incident occurred on December 2, the day after the Patriots defeated the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.

Diggs has been charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The complaint was formally filed on December 16. According to NBC Boston, the chef initially hesitated to pursue charges due to Diggs’ fame but later decided to proceed.

The chef told police she had worked for Diggs since July and was expected to remain employed through the 2025 NFL season. At the time of the alleged incident, she claimed she had not been paid for approximately one month of work.

Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, issued a statement on Tuesday forcefully denying the allegations.

“They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated because they did not occur,” Meier said. “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.”

The New England Patriots also released a statement acknowledging the situation and standing behind the player.

“The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs,” the team 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.”

Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on January 23, according to NBC Boston. That date falls the Friday before the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots clinched the AFC East title on Sunday, a game in which Diggs scored his first touchdown in nearly two months.

The 32-year-old wide receiver leads the team with 82 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns this season as New England prepares for a postseason run.

In response to a request for comment, the Dedham Police Department said records related to the case are currently subject to a pending motion to impound and will not be released until a judge issues a ruling.