Patriots Star Stefon Diggs Hit With Felony Charges Accused of ‘Slapping And Choking Out his Female Chef’ His Lawyers Are Already Working on a Settlement

Stefon Diggs faces felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault charges from a December 2 incident with his private chef over unpaid wages. Diggs denies everything, calling it a money dispute. His lawyers appeared in court December 30, 2025, and are working on a monetary settlement. Arraignment is January 23—two days before the AFC Championship Game.

The Text Messages That Started Everything

December 2, 2025. The Patriots had just destroyed the Giants on Monday Night Football the night before.

Stefon Diggs was at his Dedham, Massachusetts home when his private chef, Mila Adams, sent him another text about money he owed her.

She’d been cooking for him since July—hired for the entire NFL season. She was supposed to get paid weekly, but Diggs had been paying her monthly instead.

By December 2, she believed he owed her at least a month’s pay.

That text conversation turned into something nobody expected.

What the Police Report Says Happened

Adams told police that after exchanging texts about the money, Diggs walked into her unlocked bedroom at his house.

They started arguing in person. Then, according to her statement, things got physical.

Here’s what she claims happened:

• Diggs allegedly smacked her across the face
• When she tried to push him away, he allegedly put her in a chokehold using the crook of his elbow around her neck
• She said she had trouble breathing and feared she would black out
• When she tried to pry his arm off, he allegedly tightened his grip
• He then threw her onto the bed, she claims
• When she said she still hadn’t been paid, he responded “lies” and walked out

Adams said the incident left her sore with difficulty breathing for days.

She was so hesitant to come forward that she waited two full weeks before walking into the Dedham Police Station on December 16.

“Due to his fame, she was very hesitant to come forward with this,” police wrote in their report.

Diggs Says It Never Happened

Diggs categorically denies all of it.

His attorney David Meier released a strong statement calling the allegations “unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated—because they did not occur.”

Meier’s argument? This is all about money, not assault.

“The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction,” Meier said.

“Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.”

The Patriots also backed their star receiver, saying they “support Stefon” while promising to cooperate with authorities and the NFL.

The NDA That Made Things Worse

After the alleged incident, Adams left Diggs’ home to stay with a friend.

On December 9, she came back to collect her belongings.

She texted Diggs about the money she was owed. He referred her to his assistant.

That’s when things got even messier.

The assistant told Adams she’d have to sign a nondisclosure agreement before getting paid.

She refused to sign it.

On December 16, Adams went to police but initially said she didn’t want to file charges. By December 22, she changed her mind and decided to move forward.

What Happened in Court Tuesday

December 30, 2025. Dedham District Court. Less than 10 minutes.

Diggs didn’t show up. His high-powered Boston lawyers from Todd & Weld appeared remotely.

One lawyer, Michael R. DiStefano, asked Judge Jeanmarie Carroll to keep the police report sealed, arguing there would be “substantial risk of widespread publicity” that could taint the case “given the nature of the situation and the individuals involved.”

The judge said she’d think about it.

Then came the bombshell: Diggs’ defense team told the judge they’re already working on a monetary resolution to the incident.

Translation? They’re trying to settle this case with money before it goes any further.

The Charges He’s Facing

This isn’t minor stuff. Diggs is charged with:

Felony strangulation or suffocation (Chapter 265, Section 15D)

• This is a serious charge in Massachusetts
• It carries potential prison time if convicted

Misdemeanor assault and battery (Chapter 265, Section 13A)

• Less serious than the felony, but still criminal
• Could result in jail time and fines

His arraignment is scheduled for January 23, 2026.

That’s the Friday before the AFC Championship Game on January 25.

Why the Timing Is Brutal

Diggs is having a career comeback year.

He tore his ACL last season with the Houston Texans. Most people thought he was done.

Instead, he signed a 3-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March and became their #1 receiver.

This season:

• 82 catches (team high)
• 970 yards (team high)
• 4 touchdowns
• Just 30 yards away from becoming New England’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019

The Patriots are 13-3, they’ve already clinched the AFC East, and they’re fighting for the #1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Last Sunday against the Jets, Diggs had 6 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Now this.

The NFL Is Watching

The NFL released a careful statement: “We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club. We have no further comment at this time.”

That’s league-speak for “we’re monitoring this closely.”

The NFL’s personal conduct policy allows them to investigate and potentially suspend players even before criminal cases are resolved.

If Diggs is suspended, it could devastate New England’s playoff hopes.

Wait, There’s Another Lawsuit?

Yeah. This isn’t even Diggs’ only legal problem right now.

In October 2025, a woman named Yasmine Hernandez filed a lawsuit against him claiming he punched her in the back of the head in June 2024 and tried to keep her quiet with an NDA.

She’s seeking between $250,000 and $1 million in damages.

Diggs filed a countersuit against her. Both cases are still ongoing.

What “Monetary Resolution” Really Means

When defense lawyers say they’re working on a monetary resolution, here’s what that typically means:

Pay to make it go away: Diggs’ team likely wants to settle with Adams financially so she drops the criminal complaint or refuses to cooperate with prosecutors.

The NDA angle: They’ll probably offer her the money she claims she’s owed, plus more, in exchange for signing an NDA and not participating in the prosecution.

Why prosecutors might drop it: If the alleged victim won’t testify or cooperate, it becomes nearly impossible to prosecute the case successfully.

Legal expert Michael McCann explained that if there’s an NDA and the accuser won’t testify, “the charges in that case would likely be dropped.”

Can He Still Play?

Right now? Yes.

Diggs hasn’t been suspended by the Patriots or the NFL. He’s expected to play in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

But if the case moves forward or if the NFL starts its own investigation, that could change quickly.

The AFC Championship Game timing is particularly awkward—his arraignment is literally two days before that game if the Patriots advance.

What Happens Next?

Here’s the likely timeline:

Short term (next few weeks):

• Diggs’ lawyers continue negotiating a settlement with Adams
• The judge decides whether to keep the police report sealed
• Patriots face Dolphins in regular season finale
• NFL playoffs begin

January 23, 2026:

• Diggs’ scheduled arraignment date
• Could be postponed if settlement talks are progressing (his lawyers asked to extend it to March)
• He’ll have to appear in court and enter a plea if the case isn’t settled

If no settlement:

• Case moves to discovery and potential trial
• NFL could start its own investigation
• Diggs could face suspension under personal conduct policy

If there’s a settlement:

• Adams likely signs NDA and gets paid
• Criminal charges could be dropped if she won’t cooperate
• Diggs avoids trial and possible conviction
• But the NFL might still investigate independently

The Money vs. Truth Question

This case raises an uncomfortable question we see in celebrity legal cases all the time:

If someone is truly innocent, why settle?

Diggs’ team would argue settling doesn’t mean guilt—it means avoiding the distraction, publicity, and risk of a trial during a playoff run.

Critics would say if the allegations are completely false, why pay the accuser off?

The truth? We may never know what really happened in that bedroom on December 2.

If there’s a settlement with an NDA, the details will stay buried. Adams won’t be able to talk about it. Diggs won’t talk about it. And the public will be left guessing.

The Bigger Picture

Professional athletes facing assault allegations is unfortunately not new.

What makes this case different is the timing—right in the middle of a playoff push—and the speed at which lawyers are moving toward settlement.

The fact that Diggs’ legal team was already talking settlement at the first court hearing, less than a month after charges were filed, suggests they want this resolved immediately.

For Diggs, the stakes couldn’t be higher:

• His first 1,000-yard season in two years
• A playoff run with his new team
• A $69 million contract
• His reputation and future in the NFL

For Adams, it’s about whether she gets justice or just money.

The Bottom Line

Stefon Diggs is facing serious criminal charges from an alleged assault on December 2, 2025.

He denies it completely, calling it a financial dispute gone wrong.

His lawyers appeared in court Tuesday and are already working on a monetary settlement—suggesting they want this case to disappear before it impacts his playoff season.

The Patriots are supporting him publicly. The NFL is watching quietly. And fans are left wondering what really happened.

Diggs’ arraignment is January 23, unless it gets postponed. If there’s no settlement by then, he’ll have to show up in court two days before potentially playing in the AFC Championship Game.

For now, he’s expected to suit up Sunday against the Dolphins and keep chasing that 1,000-yard season.

But this legal cloud isn’t going away anytime soon—unless his lawyers can make it disappear with a check.

Case Details:
Dedham District Court, Massachusetts
Charges: Felony strangulation/suffocation (Ch. 265 §15D), Misdemeanor assault and battery (Ch. 265 §13A)
Arraignment: January 23, 2026 (scheduled)

Stay Updated: Check court records at Dedham District Court or follow sports law news for updates on any settlement announcements.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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