The Buffalo Payments reduce rookie punter Matt Araiza on Saturday, two days after he was accused of raping a 17-year-old lady whereas at San Diego State.
Araiza, 22, was drafted within the sixth spherical after being nicknamed “Punt God” in faculty for his booming kicks. He had gained the Payments punter job within the days earlier than the allegations had been made public.
The alleged sufferer, now 18, filed a lawsuit Thursday saying Araiza raped her exterior his off-campus dwelling in October 2021 in San Diego. In her lawsuit, the girl mentioned Araiza then took her inside the home, the place she was repeatedly raped for 90 minutes by two different males.
The opposite males accused, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin “Pa’a” Ewaliko, had been each members of the San Diego State soccer workforce at totally different factors.
The girl’s attorneys mentioned they contacted the Payments and informed them concerning the allegations after they chose Araiza within the 2022 NFL Draft in April. Nonetheless, the Payments took no obvious motion. Actually, they reduce all the opposite punters on their roster.
After the allegations had been reported Thursday, the Payments held Araiza out of their Friday evening preseason recreation. Third-string quarterback Matt Barkley dealt with punting duties.
Araiza, by way of his lawyer, denied the allegations.
“I 100% don't imagine that he ever forcibly raped this lady or had intercourse along with her whereas she was handed out or drunk or something like that,” legal professional Kerry Armstrong mentioned.
The girl’s legal professional defined that they tried to contact the Payments’ authorized counsel, Kathryn D’Angelo, in July however barely heard again.
“She appeared like she was involved. She says she’ll get again to me, after which she by no means did,” legal professional Dan Gilleon mentioned. “I even adopted up and mentioned, ‘Hey, you guys haven’t talked to me and known as me again such as you mentioned you'd.′ And so they simply ignored that, too.”
The alleged sufferer went to police on the day after the assault. The cops investigated the case and handed it to the native district legal professional, who has not but determined whether or not to file fees.
With Information Wire Providers
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