Allegheny County DA To Look Into Sexual Assault Allegations Against Antonio Brown
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office says they will be looking into the sexual assault allegations leveled against former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown in a federal lawsuit.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan reports District Attorney Stephen Zappala made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.
"When something's filed, and alleges a crime was committed, we take a look at it," Zappala said.
BREAKING: DA Zappala says his office will look into sexual assault allegations against Antonio Brown in wake of federal lawsuit.
— Andy Sheehan (@AndySheehankdka) September 11, 2019
The district attorney's office released a statement, saying:
"There is nothing extraordinary about doing that. This office, as a matter of course, will review information in a federal lawsuit whenever that information references potential criminal activity, even if that activity had not been previously known to law enforcement. Another example of this would be a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against a police officer or department alleging behavior on the part of the officer or the department that was not previously known."
Brown, now with the New England Patriots, is facing rape accusations by a former trainer.
According to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Florida, Britney Taylor says Brown sexually assaulted her on three occasions.
Brown has denied the allegations.
Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown, told The Associated Press his client plans to countersue. Heitner said Brown and Taylor had "a consensual personal relationship."
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Taylor also said in the statement she will cooperate with the NFL and any other agencies.
A spokesman for the NFL declined comment, but the Patriots say the league told the team it will launch an investigation.
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