Disgraced gambler Matt Araiza ‘was NOT present at alleged gang rape’ that led to him being cut by NFL team Buffalo Bills and he had left the party ‘an hour BEFORE’ the incident, according to unsealed documents
- Matt Araiza was suspended by the Buffalo Bills after outcry over allegations against him
- He was accused of participating in a gang rape at a party in October 2021
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza was apparently not present during the alleged 2021 gang rape of a minor that saw him slashed by the NFL team last year.
Yahoo Sports has reported in a 200-page unsealed document, including a transcript of a conversation in which a deputy prosecutor told the girl, who was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, why charges against Araiza were not being prosecuted.
The district attorney’s office had apparently concluded that Araiza left the party in San Diego at 12:30 a.m. on the night of October 15, 2021 — about an hour before the alleged gang rape that Araiza was accused of participating in.
“He wasn’t even at the party anymore,” Trisha Amador told the girl, according to Yahoo. “All I know is that suspect Araiza disappeared from the party at that point.”
The report adds that there are recordings of the encounter with the girl time-stamped at 1:30 am. Araiza apparently had a witness that helped prosecutors conclude that he left about an hour earlier.
Buffalo Bills gambler Matt Araiza was apparently not present during the alleged 2021 gang rape of a minor in which he was cut off by the team
The claims are reported by Yahoo Sports – punter Araiaza was cut by the Bills last year
Araiza is apparently hoping for another chance to build a career in the NFL
Last December, it emerged that Araiza would not face criminal charges by San Diego prosecutors.
Prosecutors determined that it is clear that the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges. There is no way to a possible criminal conviction,” the San Diego County District Attorney said last December.
However, there is an ongoing civil lawsuit that remains active.
In February this year, Araiza’s agent denied signing with a Mexican team in a bid to revive his career, saying the 22-year-old is hoping for another chance in the NFL.
He was released by the Bills in late August, amid the allegations and mounting public pressure, despite winning the starting job in training camp.
The Ray Guy Award winner — given to the top punter in college football — was a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, beating veteran Matt Haack as the Bills punter.
When the lawsuit went public on Aug. 26, Buffalo initially defended Araiza, before finally cutting the 22-year-old two days later.
General manager Brandon Beane said the organization was aware of Araiza’s version of events before they brought him to Orchard Park.