Moss denies battery claim

Woman alleges Patriot caused serious injury

January 17, 2008|Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH - Randy Moss yesterday vigorously denied allegations he committed battery against a Florida woman in her Fort Lauderdale, Fla., residence earlier this month.

Rachelle Washington, 35, who claimed she has had an intimate relationship with Moss since 1997, received a temporary restraining order in the Broward County Court against the Patriots wide receiver Monday. In her petition, Washington alleged Moss caused her serious injury in the Jan. 6 incident and denied her medical attention.

"It's unfair to athletes if a person makes a false claim," said Moss, standing in front of his locker at Gillette Stadium. "You know, there is nothing we can do. The only thing we can do is either pay up or sit back and listen to what's been said or what's being written. I can honestly say . . . for someone to make a false claim about me, I'm kind of furious.

"My situation is where I felt that I did nothing wrong. It was an accident. Whatever happened, it was an accident. I wish I could sit here and tell you all what happened. But there is a lawsuit or whatever coming against me; I can't really explain or tell you all what is going on."

Moss, 30, who in his first season with the Patriots set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions and broke the franchise record for receiving yards with 1,493, said he was "mad at this situation of extortion." He claimed Washington was seeking "six figures" to keep the alleged battery hushed.

As for Washington's claim that she was prevented from seeking treatment, Moss said, "How am I going to deny someone medical attention when you live by yourself and have your own vehicle?"

Minneapolis attorney Joe Friedberg, who has provided legal counsel to Moss in the past, said the player's agent, Tim DiPiero, told Friedberg that the lawyer representing Washington asked Moss for $500,000, or her allegations would be made public.

"The whole thing is outrageous," said Friedberg, who is obtaining legal representation in Florida for Moss.

Efforts to reach Washington's attorney, David McGill, were unsuccessful.

According to court documents, the terms of the injunction call for Moss to remain 500 feet away from Washington, and he's prohibited from using or possessing firearms.

Moss, who said Washington had been a friend for 11 years, did not go into detail about the incident, which happened during the Patriots' playoff bye week. But he said he's never hit a woman and that he was looking forward to clearing his name.