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Brown saga takes stunning turn in sexual assault lawsuit

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Sep 11, 2019

AP photo Patriots newly acquired controversial receiver Antonio Brown is being sued for secual assault.

After an incredible week, newly signed Antonio Brown may not even see game action in a New England Patriots uniform anytime soon thanks to a bombshell report that he is being sued for sexual assault in Florida federal court.

Brown, according to documents obtained by TMZ Sports and a report in the New York Times, is being accused of three separate encounters of rape/sexual assault by Britney Taylor, whom Brown allegedly hired as a personal trainer.

The incidents in question, according to the civil lawsuit, allegedly took place in June of 2017, first at Brown’s home in Pittsburgh and the second at Brown’s home in Florida.

The third incident, in which the suit claims Brown “forcibly raped” Taylor, took place on May 20, 2018.

Taylor, according to the suit and TMZ report, met Brown while they were both student athletes at Central Michigan University.

There is graphic, detailed information in the suit, according to reports, and emails Brown allegedly sent Taylor were also released on social media.

The suit reportedly says Taylor wants compensation for “physical injuries, pain and suffering, humiliation, embarrassment,stress and anxiety, loss of self esteem and self- confidence, and emotional pain and suffering.”

An amount, according to TMZ, was not specified.

Brown’s attorney, Darren Heitner, issued a lengthy statement, part of which says “Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit. He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name, but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusation.”

The statement goes on to say that Taylor, shortly after Brown signed a contract with the Steelers making him the highest paid receiver in the NFL in 2017, was asked by Taylor to invest $1.6 million in Taylor’s business. Brown, the statement says, refused and cut off communication with Taylor.

According to a tweet last night by ESPN’s Josina Anderson, “Brown intends to countersue his accuser for civil extortion.”

What’s next? There were reports that the media in Oakland had known about the accusations/lawsuit, but it’s not clear whether the Raiders or Patriots were aware of the suit at the time of Brown’s signing with New England.

“We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed early today against Antonio Brown, as well as the response by Antonio’s representatives. We take these allegtions very seriously. Under no circumstances does this organization condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place.”

It will be interesting to see if the National Football League steps in and prevents Brown from playing by putting him on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, or whether the Patriots eventually take any action.

In any event, it’s just an incredible new chapter in the Brown saga that in the last five days included him forcing the Raiders to release him and and then being signed hours later on Saturday by the Patriots.

It was a controversial move then, and even more now in light of these reports.

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