In late December of 2025, CBS News reported that a well-known NFL player was facing charges of domestic battery after allegedly putting his personal chef in a chokehold. While the player vehemently denies these allegations, the case could affect his professional career and reputation. This case also illustrates the fact that domestic violence charges can stem from interactions between non-family members who live in the same household. If you face domestic violence charges in Boston, consider speaking with an experienced defense attorney.
Female Chef Claims She Was Put in a Chokehold by NFL Star
Police in Dedham say that the alleged victim in this case first contacted them about an incident in early December of 2025. According to her, her employer (an NFL star) agreed to pay her weekly as a personal chef and gave her a bedroom in his home. After complaining about payment issues, the NFL star allegedly walked into her unlocked bedroom and confronted her.
The woman says that during this confrontation, the NFL player slapped her across the face and put her in a chokehold. Police noted that she did not take any photographs of her injuries to support these claims. Eventually, she agreed to let the incident slide without taking action against the defendant.
Days later, the alleged victim contacted the local police again and claimed that she had received unsettling communications from the NFL player’s girlfriend. This included a voicemail telling her not to go to the police about the incident. Whether this was the factor that made her change her mind or not, the personal chef then went to the police and agreed to proceed with charges against the player.
Defense Attorneys Claim That These Claims Were Fabricated
The defense attorney for the NFL player suggested that the personal chef’s claims are fabrications, and that she was motivated to lie about the situation because of the earlier payment dispute. However this case proceeds, it is likely that the player will benefit from extremely strong legal representation. After all, his recent transfer to a notable NFL team was worth almost $70 million.
Assaults Against All Household Members Can Lead to Domestic Violence Charges
This case shows how domestic violence charges may involve alleged victims other than family members. Massachusetts law states that domestic violence charges apply if the alleged victim was residing in the same household as the defendant, regardless of the nature of the housing arrangement. This could apply to live-in personal chefs, maids, and so on.
Can a Defense Attorney in Boston Help Me?
A defense attorney in Boston may be able to help if you face allegations of domestic violence. This case shows that as long as an alleged victim is living in the same household as a defendant, domestic battery charges are possible. These situations might involve personal chefs, live-in nurses, butlers, and many other types of “domestic staff” commonly employed by high-net-worth individuals.