The woman who accused former Bills punter Matt Araiza of sexual assault has reportedly agreed to drop her lawsuit – with the 23-year-old now focusing on a return to the NFL.
As reported by TMZAraiza's attorneys released a statement Tuesday revealing that the NFL player and his accuser have reached an agreement that will see the woman “dismiss her complaint against him in the coming week.”
“Matt is not paying the plaintiff any money,” the lawyers said. “And he reserves the right to sue the plaintiff's attorney, Dan Gilleon, and his law firm for the harm they caused him.”
Araiza was released by the Bills last August after he was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl along with two of his former San Diego State football teammates during a 2021 Halloween party.
Araiza has always denied the accusations and the Public Prosecution Service later concluded that Araiza was apparently not present during the alleged gang rape.
The woman who accused Matt Araiza of sexual assault has reportedly agreed to drop her lawsuit
Araiza was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 draft, but was cut later that year
“There is no path to a possible criminal conviction,” prosecutors said in 2022.
Araiza has previously said he plans to sue Gilleon for defamation over the civil lawsuit – filed by the lawyer – and that he would not settle down.
On Tuesday, his lawyers said this agreement was “bittersweet,” adding, ““Matt has spent the last 16 months defending himself against false accusations and a campaign to ruin his NFL career… he will never get this time of his life back.”
Araiza was selected by Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 draft but was cut later that year.
He hasn't played since the allegations surfaced, but 'now fully intends to return to the NFL in hopes of resuming a successful punting career.”