No Charges To Be Filed In Michael Irvin Sex Assault Investigation
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Broward prosecutors have decided not to pursue and prosecute sexual battery allegations against ex-NFL star Michael Irvin.
"Devastated, flat out devastated, flat out devastated," Irvin said.
Irvin is relieved that he's not being charged with sexual battery but furious that it happened in the first place.
"The heinous… this, this, being accused of something like this. This is as devastating as this can be. It's this and murder – period," he said.
A woman considered "like family" accused Irvin of raping her inside a room at the W Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach in March.
The state attorney's office decided not to prosecute, saying, "There is no DNA evidence to establish that a sexual battery occurred... there is not enough evidence to establish that a crime was committed."
"The most important thing is justice, to make sure we get to justice," said defense attorney Ken Padowitz.
Padowitz and Irvin are pleased with the findings, but Irvin is adamant the evidence shows he did nothing wrong and the woman made up the story.
"Don't tell me it's not enough evidence. It's all the evidence, it's enough evidence," Irvin said. "Actually, we need to go after her for filing a false police report because everything pointed towards what I said. That's all I'm saying."
Irvin said these past for months have been difficult both personally and professionally.
"I've been devastated professionally, opportunities I had professionally. Financially it's cost me millions of dollars," he said. "But that's all behind. I just want to opportunity to move forward and get back to doing what I do and rebuild my life."
When asked if he's willing to forgive his accuser, Irvin said he would.
"I'm in the forgiving business. The bible tells me my measure of forgiveness is going to be weighed exactly on the measure of forgiveness I give," he said.
The 51-year-old Irvin was a star receiver for the University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2007.