Bills release P Matt Araiza amid gang-rape allegations
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Matt Araiza, who led San Diego State to a record-setting season earlier than being drafted by the Buffalo Payments, and two of his former Aztecs teammates have been accused in a civil lawsuit Thursday of gang-raping a young person at an off-campus social gathering final fall.
On Saturday, the Payments launched the rookie punter.
The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Superior Court docket, accuses Araiza, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko of gang-raping a then-17-year-old lady at a Halloween social gathering at a house the place Araiza had been dwelling.
The plaintiff, now 18, is recognized within the grievance as “Jane Doe” as a result of she was underage on the time.
No arrests have been made and San Diego Police haven’t publicly recognized any suspects.
Leonard is listed on San Diego State’s roster as a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Arlington, Texas. Ewaliko is just not listed on this yr’s roster, however was on the 2021 roster as a defensive lineman from Seattle.
An individual aware of the case informed the AP the Payments weren’t conscious of the allegations towards Araiza in April. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the group had not commented publicly concerning the allegations.
Executives from two totally different groups informed the AP they grew to become conscious of Araiza’s involvement in an incident through the draft course of, however neither particular person knew the extent of the allegations.
After the Payments declined a number of requests for touch upon Friday, coach Sean McDermott was clearly shaken when he addressed the scenario following a 21-0 preseason loss at Carolina.
“It’s a scenario that’s extraordinarily severe. Simply exhausting to undergo. It’s not a scenario that I or we take flippantly by any means,” he stated. “I can let you know this my coronary heart, my ideas and prayers exit to the folks concerned. And that features Matt. It consists of either side right here. The sufferer and everybody concerned.”
McDermott stated he was stunned and shocked by among the revelations which have come out over the previous day, and repeatedly burdened the group has work to do. Requested what work wanted to be accomplished, he answered by saying: “It’s only a matter of looking for the reality on the finish of the day.”
McDermott stated it was his choice to not have Araiza play, saying he felt it was not the correct factor to do. Whereas he stated Araiza would journey again with the group, McDermott declined to reply a query on Araiza’s standing on the roster.
Beforehand, the Payments’ solely touch upon the lawsuit got here a day earlier in saying they have been conscious of the allegations and had carried out their very own investigation.
“The details of the incident should not what they’re portrayed within the lawsuit or within the press,” Araiza stated in a press release launched by means of his agent, Joe Linta. “I stay up for shortly setting the report straight.”
The lawsuit states that the teenager had been consuming with associates once they determined to go to the social gathering on Oct. 17 and she or he was “observably intoxicated upon arrival.” She grew to become separated from her associates and was approached by Araiza who provided her a drink, in response to the lawsuit. She believes the drink “not solely contained alcohol, however different intoxicating substances,” the grievance stated.
She informed Araiza, who was 21 on the time, that she was a highschool senior, in response to the lawsuit. She alleges he then led her to a aspect yard the place he requested her to carry out oral intercourse after which had intercourse together with her earlier than taking her to a bed room within the residence. There have been a minimum of three different males within the room, together with Leonard and Ewaliko, in response to the grievance. The lawsuit states that Araiza threw the teenager onto the mattress and she or he went out and in of consciousness whereas she was being raped. It added, “however she does keep in mind some moments from the horrific gang rape.”
After an hour-and-a-half, the teenager “stumbled out of the room bloody and crying,” in response to the grievance. Her nostril, stomach button, and ear piercings had been pulled out.
She instantly informed her associates concerning the rape and the following day reported it to police and underwent a rape examination, in response to the lawsuit. Officers coached her on calling Araiza, which she did 10 days later as detectives recorded it, in response to the grievance.
In the course of the name, Araiza confirmed having intercourse together with her, the lawsuit states, however when she requested him “And did we now have precise intercourse?” he responded “That is Matt Araiza. I don’t keep in mind something that occurred that evening,” and hung up.
“This was a horrific crime, the form of which occurs all too usually,” legal professional Dan Gilleon stated in a press release to the AP. Gilleon stated this case is particularly egregious as a result of it not solely concerned “self-entitled athletes,” however a number of organizations from the college to the Buffalo Payments “have acted the a part of enablers trying the opposite means in denial that my consumer deserves justice even when the defendants are prized athletes.”
The Los Angeles Occasions first reported the lawsuit.
Legal professional Kerry Armstrong, who represents Araiza within the legal investigation, known as the allegations unfaithful primarily based on the findings of an investigator he employed.
“I 100% don’t imagine that he ever forcibly raped this lady or had intercourse together with her whereas she was handed out or drunk or something like that,” Armstrong informed the AP. “It’s unlucky that she’s filed a civil go well with. I feel it’s a money seize.”
Armstrong stated the Payments have been conscious of the allegations and investigation of Araiza earlier than the lawsuit was filed as a result of he offered the group updates since he was retained by the punter about six weeks in the past.
“Matt Araiza’s very upset about this, as you possibly can think about. He’s very disillusioned,” Armstrong stated. “However he’s going to get his day in court docket ultimately.”
Armstrong stated he’s been knowledgeable police have all however accomplished their legal investigation, which can then be reviewed by the district legal professional to find out whether or not to file prices.
Marc Xavier Carlos, who’s representing Ewaliko in an ongoing legal investigation, and Jamahl Kersey, representing Leonard, informed the Occasions they may not remark.
Reporting by Related Press.
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