Stefon Diggs Lawsuit, Patriots Star Sues Influencer Over Explosive Sexual Assault Claims

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs filed a libel lawsuit on October 1, 2025, in Maryland federal court against social media influencer Christopher Blake Griffith, accusing him of fabricating sexual assault allegations for online attention. Diggs is seeking damages and attorney’s fees, though no specific amount has been disclosed.

Griffith publicly accused Diggs of drugging him, attempting sexual assault, and conspiring to have him killed—claims Diggs vehemently denies as completely false. The lawsuit alleges Griffith tagged the NFL, Patriots, and Ugg (Diggs’ sponsor) in social media posts containing these accusations, causing substantial harm to the athlete’s reputation and endorsement deals.

What Triggered the Stefon Diggs Lawsuit?

The lawsuit stems from an alleged incident in May 2023 when Diggs, Griffith, and other influencers attended a charity basketball game in Washington, D.C., then went to a club before returning to Diggs’ Rockville, Maryland home. According to Diggs’ legal filing, he went to his bedroom and his assistant asked Griffith to leave—ending what the NFL star describes as a mundane evening.

More than two years later, in summer 2025, Griffith resurfaced on social media with explosive accusations. Griffith claimed Diggs drugged and sexually assaulted him, then conspired to have him killed to hide alleged “gay/bisexual secrets.”

Griffith posted these allegations in August 2025 alongside what he claimed was a police report from the incident. In his posts, Griffith specifically targeted Diggs’ Ugg campaign with actress Sarah Jessica Parker, expressing disgust that the brand collaborated with Diggs despite his filed police report.

What Are the Legal Claims in the Stefon Diggs Lawsuit?

The lawsuit centers on libel/defamation claims. Diggs accuses Griffith of intentional defamation and seeks unspecified damages and attorney fees. The core allegations include:

False statements of fact: Griffith publicly claimed Diggs drugged him with candy laced with unknown substances
Sexual assault allegations: Claims that Diggs made unwanted sexual advances and attempted assault
Murder conspiracy claims: Allegations that Diggs orchestrated attacks to silence Griffith
Reputational harm: Damage to Diggs’ professional standing, endorsement deals, and public image
Malicious intent: Allegations that Griffith knowingly fabricated claims for social media attention

Diggs’ lawsuit emphasizes that Griffith shared these allegations repeatedly to his nearly 100,000 Instagram followers and specifically tagged major entities including the NFL, Patriots, and Ugg.

Christopher Blake Griffith: The Influencer Behind the Accusations

Christopher Blake Griffith is a Los Angeles-based marketing executive, influencer manager, and artist with over a decade of experience in entertainment, sports, and advertising. He previously served in various roles at Under Armour, including as styling director, director of energy marketing, and senior director of global music marketing.

During a podcast interview, Griffith doubled down on his allegations, claiming Diggs attempted to have him “unalived” after he rejected sexual advances. Griffith maintains his account has remained consistent since October 2024.

Current Case Status and Court Proceedings

Filing Date: October 1, 2025

Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Maryland federal court)

Case Type: Civil defamation lawsuit (libel)

Damages Sought: Unspecified amount in compensatory damages and attorney’s fees, though the lawsuit emphasizes substantial harm to Diggs’ reputation, career, and endorsement deals

Current Status: Active litigation—discovery phase likely ongoing with no trial date set. The lawsuit was made public in November 2025 when TMZ obtained court documents.

Stefon Diggs Lawsuit, Patriots Star Sues Influencer Over Explosive Sexual Assault Claims—$100K+ Defamation Case Rocks NFL

Defense Attorney’s Response

Griffith’s attorney, Jake Lebowitz of Posey Lebowitz PLLC, issued a forceful statement denying Diggs’ claims: “Mr. Griffith is looking forward to showing the world in Court that regardless of the fairy tale fabricated by Mr. Diggs’ high-priced New York Lawyers, he is the victim of Mr. Diggs’ unwanted sexual advances and his brother’s violent attacks. Not only will we defend against these false allegations, but our counterclaims for sexual battery will be filed shortly.”

This response indicates Griffith plans to file counterclaims, potentially escalating the legal battle.

The Darez Diggs Connection: Elevator Assault Conviction

The lawsuit exists against a backdrop of related violence. In March 2024, Diggs’ brother Darez Diggs was sentenced to two years of probation and 20 hours of community service after pleading no contest to one felony count of grand theft from a person.

The charges stemmed from a May 2023 elevator attack in Los Angeles where Darez appeared to orchestrate a brutal assault on Griffith captured on surveillance video. Two additional men entered the elevator and attacked Griffith while Darez watched.

Griffith sued Darez separately, seeking $100,000 in compensation for jewelry and belongings allegedly stolen during the attack, plus damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. That civil case remains ongoing.

Griffith alleges this elevator assault was connected to his accusations against Stefon Diggs—claiming it was an attempt to silence him.

Implications for Sports Industry and Social Media Defamation

The Stefon Diggs lawsuit represents a growing trend of athletes fighting back against social media accusations. The case raises critical questions about:

Public Figure Defamation Standards: As an NFL player, Diggs must prove “actual malice”—that Griffith knew the statements were false or recklessly disregarded their truth. Diggs’ lawsuit specifically accuses Griffith of “knowingly spreading false information for clout and attention,” directly addressing this higher legal standard.

Social Media Accountability: The lawsuit tests whether influencers can be held liable for explosive allegations made on platforms like Instagram, especially when they tag organizations and sponsors.

Endorsement Deal Protection: The case emphasizes how false allegations can damage professional relationships and lucrative sponsorships—Diggs’ Ugg partnership was specifically targeted in Griffith’s posts.

Career Impact: The lawsuit comes at a critical time for Diggs, who signed with the Patriots in March 2025 and is central to their offensive strategy.

Comparing Similar Athlete Defamation Cases

The Stefon Diggs lawsuit follows several high-profile defamation battles involving athletes and public figures:

Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard (2022): Similar to Diggs’ case, this lawsuit involved sexual assault allegations, social media impact, and reputation damage. The jury awarded Depp $10.4 million, demonstrating juries may side with defendants who can prove accusations were false and malicious.

Brett Favre v. Shannon Sharpe (2024): The Fifth Circuit dismissed former NFL quarterback Brett Favre’s defamation lawsuit against media personality Shannon Sharpe, finding his comments were non-actionable opinions based on publicly disclosed facts. This case shows the difficulty athletes face proving defamation even with damaging statements.

Alex Jones Sandy Hook Cases (2022-2023): Courts held conspiracy theorist Alex Jones liable for repeatedly claiming the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax, with judgments totaling over $1 billion across multiple families. This demonstrates that repeated false claims causing severe emotional distress can result in massive damages.

E. Jean Carroll v. Donald Trump (2024): After Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, his continued denials resulted in $83.3 million in defamation damages—showing that doubling down on false statements significantly increases liability.

What Happens Next? Timeline and Potential Outcomes

Discovery Phase (Current): Both parties exchange evidence, take depositions, and build their cases. Expect:

Subpoenas for social media records and communications
Expert testimony on reputational harm and damages
Depositions of Diggs, Griffith, and witnesses from the 2023 event

Potential Counterclaims: Griffith’s attorney has announced plans to file counterclaims for sexual battery, which could significantly expand the litigation.

Motion Practice (Next 3-6 months): Diggs may file for summary judgment if evidence overwhelmingly supports his claims. Griffith may file anti-SLAPP motions arguing the lawsuit aims to silence protected speech.

Settlement Negotiations: Many defamation cases settle before trial. Possible outcomes include:

Financial settlement with confidentiality agreement
Public retraction and apology from Griffith
Dropped claims in exchange for mutual releases

Trial (12-18 months): If the case proceeds to trial, a jury would decide:

Whether Griffith’s statements were false
Whether they damaged Diggs’ reputation
Whether Griffith acted with actual malice
Appropriate damages amount

Damages Considerations: While no specific amount is disclosed, the lawsuit emphasizes substantial fallout affecting Diggs’ reputation, endorsements, and public image. Comparable cases have resulted in:

$250,000-$1 million for significant reputational harm
Additional punitive damages for malicious conduct
Recovery of attorney’s fees

Other Legal Challenges Facing Stefon Diggs

The defamation lawsuit isn’t Diggs’ only legal battle:

Paternity Lawsuit: Model Aileen Lopera filed a paternity lawsuit in September 2025, claiming Diggs is the father of her daughter Charliee, born in April 2025. A subsequent paternity test proved Lopera’s claims were true.

Previous Assault Claims: In February 2025, Diggs filed a lawsuit against reality TV personality Mia Jones (Mulan Hernandez), alleging assault, extortion, and destruction of property including a $130,000 watch. Jones countersued claiming Diggs assaulted her.

What This Means for Consumers and Fans

Social Media Credibility: The lawsuit highlights the importance of verifying explosive claims before accepting them as fact. False accusations can destroy reputations and careers.

Legal Recourse Exists: Individuals falsely accused of serious crimes have legal options to fight back, though defamation cases are notoriously difficult and expensive.

Presumption of Innocence: Until proven in court, allegations remain just that—allegations. Neither party’s version of events has been validated through the legal process.

Impact on Endorsements: Brands increasingly face pressure over who they partner with, making false allegations potentially devastating for athletes’ earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Stefon Diggs lawsuit about?

Stefon Diggs filed a libel lawsuit on October 1, 2025, against influencer Christopher Blake Griffith for allegedly fabricating sexual assault allegations from a May 2023 encounter. Diggs claims Griffith knowingly lied for social media attention, causing substantial damage to his reputation and career.

What triggered the lawsuit?

Griffith publicly accused Diggs of drugging and sexually assaulting him in August 2025 posts—more than two years after the alleged incident—specifically targeting Diggs’ Ugg sponsorship and tagging the NFL and Patriots. Diggs maintains the accusations are completely fabricated.

What are the legal claims?

The lawsuit centers on libel/defamation claims, with Diggs accusing Griffith of intentionally spreading false information and seeking unspecified damages and attorney fees. The case requires proving the statements were false, damaged Diggs’ reputation, and were made with actual malice.

What is the current case status?

The lawsuit was filed on October 1, 2025, in Maryland federal court and remains in active litigation. Discovery is likely ongoing, with no trial date set. Griffith’s attorney has announced plans to file counterclaims for sexual battery.

What damages is Stefon Diggs seeking?

Diggs is seeking damages and attorney’s fees without specifying an exact amount, though the lawsuit emphasizes substantial harm to his reputation, endorsements, and public image. Similar defamation cases have resulted in awards ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

How does this connect to the Darez Diggs elevator assault?

Stefon Diggs’ brother Darez was convicted in March 2024 for a May 2023 elevator attack on Griffith, receiving two years probation after pleading no contest to felony grand theft. Griffith separately sued Darez for $100,000 claiming the attack was intended to silence him. Griffith alleges this violence connects to his accusations against Stefon.

What happens next in the lawsuit?

The case will proceed through discovery, where both sides gather evidence and take depositions. Griffith’s attorney has announced counterclaims for sexual battery will be filed shortly, which could expand the litigation. The case may settle before trial or proceed to a jury verdict within 12-18 months.

Key Takeaways

✓ Stefon Diggs filed a federal defamation lawsuit on October 1, 2025, against influencer Christopher Blake Griffith for allegedly fabricating sexual assault claims

✓ The case is pending in Maryland federal court with active litigation ongoing

✓ Griffith made explosive allegations in August 2025 claiming Diggs drugged him, attempted sexual assault, and conspired to have him killed

✓ Diggs maintains the accusations are completely false and were fabricated for online attention, causing substantial damage to his reputation and endorsements

✓ Griffith’s attorney has announced plans to file counterclaims for sexual battery, escalating the legal battle

✓ The case involves a separate criminal conviction—Diggs’ brother Darez received probation for a 2023 elevator assault on Griffith

✓ The lawsuit tests social media defamation standards and could have significant implications for how influencers are held accountable for explosive allegations

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details, legal claims, and outcomes may change as litigation progresses. Review current case filings independently and contact an attorney for specific questions about this lawsuit or similar legal matters.

Last Updated: November 17, 2025

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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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Stefon Diggs Lawsuit, Patriots Star Sues Influencer Over Explosive Sexual Assault Claims—$100K+ Defamation Case Rocks NFL