New England Patriots Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a felony charge of strangulation or suffocation and a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery stemming from an alleged December 2 incident at his home in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs also welcomed a child with rapper Cardi B in November 2025.
According to the police report (Diggs moved to have the report impounded and was rejected by the judge), a woman identified as Diggs’ private chef, Mila Adams, told Dedham police she began working for him in July 2025 under an agreement for weekly pay, which later shifted to monthly salary arrangements. She said Diggs later told her her services were not needed for a week, forcing her to leave her room in the residence while other guests remained, and without airfare to travel home. Adams said she was still owed roughly one month’s pay.
Adams told police that on December 2, during an argument over the unpaid money, Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom after a disagreement, struck her across the face, and placed his arm around her neck from behind, restricting her breathing, tightening his grip as she tried to pull away, and then threw her onto a bed before leaving the room. She reported redness on her upper chest afterward, but did not take photos of her injuries.
Adams initially reported the incident to police on December 16 but declined to press charges. After returning to the home to collect her belongings and speaking with Diggs’ assistant, who she said asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement before being paid, Adams changed her mind and on December 23 asked police to pursue criminal charges. Police said they planned to apply for criminal complaints charging Diggs with assault and strangulation or suffocation, and noted that multiple attempts to contact Diggs went unanswered.
Diggs’ attorney, Michael DiStefano, appeared remotely in Dedham District Court and had asked a judge to have the police report impounded, arguing the details should remain sealed-his request was denied. He also confirmed that Diggs had made a financial offer to the alleged victim, and the judge said she would consider that request.
“Stefon Diggs categorically denies these allegations. They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur. 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. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law,” DiStefano stated.
The New England Patriots have also voiced their support for Diggs. “The New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefon Diggs. Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
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Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned on January 23, 2026, though the judge is considering postponing the arraignment until March.
Outside legal experts say several factors outlined in the police report could be central to how prosecutors evaluate the strength of the case, including the delay in reporting, the absence of documented injuries, and the underlying wage dispute. Manhattan-based criminal defense attorney Mark Bederow, who is not involved in the case, said those elements are frequently scrutinized by judges and juries in domestic assault prosecutions.
“In these circumstances, the delay in reporting, the lack of injuries and photographs and the fact this is at its core a dispute over money bodes very well for Diggs as it will impact the witness’s credibility,” Bederow said.
Bederow added that discussions around payment or settlement, which were referenced in court, are not unusual in cases rooted in employment disputes and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing.
“Working out a payment will not implicate him. It shows both parties’ motive to resolve the matter and would likely impact the credibility of the complainant more than Diggs,” he said.
Bederow also noted that timing can play a role in how quickly such cases resolve, particularly when defendants face professional and reputational consequences outside the courtroom.
“Diggs also has another incentive to pay what she claims he owes her: the playoffs start in two weeks and he and the Patriots want this behind him,” Bederow said.
Based on his experience handling high-profile criminal cases, Bederow said he would be surprised if the matter proceeded to a full trial.
“I would be shocked if this case went on for a long time and ended up in a trial. In fact, I would expect it to be over very quickly after the two parties come to a financial agreement.”
