• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open through Nov. 13 Learn More
Law

Sexual Assault Lawsuit That Led Bills to Release Punter Matt Araiza Dropped

  • According to his attorneys, the civil case filed against him last year was dismissed without any payment.
  • Araiza also dismissed the defamation case he filed against the accuser.
Matt Araiza
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza settled the lawsuit that derailed his NFL career — and Araiza did so without paying anything to the woman who accused him of sexual assault. 

Araiza was released days before the 2022 season when the woman, identified as Jane Doe, accused Araiza and others of rape at an October 2021 party near San Diego State University. Last December, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office declined to charge Araiza after a “thorough, thoughtful, and careful” review of the evidence.

“While we are here celebrating this victory with Matt and his family, the win is bittersweet,” Araiza’s attorneys Dick Semerdjian and Kristen Bush said in a statement to Front Office Sports. “Matt has been forced to defend himself for the last 16 months against false accusations and a campaign to ruin his career in the NFL. He will never get this time in his life back.

“Matt was and has always been innocent. The case is over, and Matt has prevailed. He now has the full intention of returning to the NFL in hopes of resuming a successful punting career.”

A defamation lawsuit Araiza filed against his accuser was also dismissed, according to Semerdjian and Bush. 

“Matt is not paying the plaintiff any money and he is reserving his right to pursue the plaintiff’s attorney, Dan Gilleon, and his law office for the harm that they have caused him,” the two attorneys said.

A message left with Gilleon was not immediately returned.

In the months after the allegations became public via the lawsuit, details that questioned the accuser’s claims — including whether Araiza was even at the party — came out. The accuser was 17 at the time of the alleged incident. 

“I can tell you that I do not have anything that allows me to file charges,” San Diego County deputy district attorney Trisha Amado told the accuser in December 2022 before it was announced Araiza would face no charges. 

Semerdjian and Bush said that there was “exonerating video evidence that was uncovered of the incident” along with depositions “over the course of the last year which confirmed his innocence.”

An investigation by SDSU, where the 2022 sixth-round draft pick earned the nickname “Punt God” on the Aztecs’ football team, also concluded its investigation into the incident and found no wrongdoing by Araiza.  

“We cannot overstate the importance to our system of justice of the presumption of innocence,”  Semerdjian and Bush said. “Matt has always maintained his innocence, despite the public outcry that resulted when he was falsely accused of crimes and civil assault.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Endeavor to Sell OpenBet, IMG Arena to Its CEO Ari Emanuel

The move is “a necessary step” as Endeavor seeks to go private.
Aug 3, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (11) drives past Manchester United Harry Amass (41) at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Premier League Ref Suspended for Wild Rants Against Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp

The unverified video shows the referee since 2018 disparaging Liverpool.

How Schools Are Raising Money to Prep for House v. NCAA Settlement

Schools are hunting for money they may be sharing with athletes soon.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Can the NBA Cup Help Revive Lagging Viewership?

0:00

Featured Today

Former President Donald Trump waves to the crowd as he exits the putting green with his aide Walt Nauta, left, during the final round of the LIV Golf Bedminster golf tournament at Trump National Bedminster on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023.
opinion

Trump Win Puts Sports Back in the White House

With Trump back in the White House, sports get more political again.
Members of the NY Giants run onto the field to start the game between the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
November 8, 2024

The NFL Is Becoming the League With No Borders

Where will the NFL go next? International expansion will only get bigger.
November 5, 2024

NFL Center Connor McGovern Is the Heir to a Potato Empire

The NFL vet’s family provides potatoes for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and others.
Vanderbilt Commodores fans head to the south end zone as the goal post is taken down by exuberant fans after beating No. 1 Alabama 40-35 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
opinion
November 2, 2024

Something New in College Football This Year: Parity

Upsets, surprises. CFB is more fun on the field than the NFL.

Michael Jordan’s Team Loses Bid for Temporary Injunction Against NASCAR

The teams can still compete, but will miss out on certain guarantees.
October 25, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About the Kawhi Leonard Lawsuit

A longtime trainer of Leonard’s is suing the Clippers for wrongful termination.
Brett Favre and Donald Trump
November 7, 2024

What Donald Trump’s Win Means for Welfare Probe, Brett Favre

Favre spoke at Trump’s rally last week in Green Bay, Wis.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) and forward LeBron James (23) warm up before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.
October 24, 2024

LeBron and Bronny James Target of Lawsuit Over 2022 Car Crash

They made history Tuesday as the NBA’s first father-son teammates.
Apr 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; WWE owner Vince McMahon enters the arena during WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium.
October 23, 2024

Former WWE ‘Ring Boys’ Allege Vince McMahon ‘Allowed’ Sexual Abuse

The suit claims the WWE and the McMahons “failed these boys.”
Former UFC fighter Cung Le
October 23, 2024

Judge Allows Reworked $375 Million Settlement for UFC Fighters to Move Forward 

Hundreds of fighters could start to see six-figure payouts next year.
Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A DraftKings countdown clock on radio row at the Super Bowl LVII media center at the Phoenix Convention Center.
October 22, 2024

DraftKings, Former Exec Talk Settlement in Marathon Legal Battle

The case revolves around the enforcement of a one-year non-compete agreement.