Attorney for Commanders kicker Brandon McManus releases statement on allegations

McManus’ attorney releases statement on allegations.

On Monday afternoon, news broke that Washington Commanders kicker Brandon McManus was being accused of sexual assault. McManus, 32, played for the Jaguars last season and was accused of sexual assault by two flight attendants. The lawsuit was filed in Duval County Circuit Civil Court last Friday, and the Jaguars were also named in the suit.

Shortly after the news broke, the Commanders released the following statement:

Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.

Now, McManus’ attorney, Brett Gallaway, has released a statement:

These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player. We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are — an extortion attempt.

 

Marcus Maye’s attorney issues statement following Thursday arrest

Marcus Maye’s attorney issues statement following Thursday arrest, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

 

Thursday morning, New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye was arrested with accusations of aggravated assault with a firearm. Not long after reports hit the airwaves, Maye’s attorney issued a statement, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Maye’s attorney Eric Hessler is doing right by his client here with a quickly released and direct statement.

This continues to be a “wait and see” story that is sure to be more complex than maybe initially assumed, as these cases often are. However, with a previous arrest stemming from a Feb. 2021 DUI and property damage charge, complexity should be expected. It will be interesting to see how this situation, if charges hold, impact Maye’s outstanding case.

From the football standpoint, this could put New Orleans in quite the crunch when it comes to their secondary, but the depth they’ve assembled is impressive. If Maye were to miss time in 2022, the team still has safeties P.J. Williams and Justin Evans to fall back on. Evans, who hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2018 season, has been a great story thus far this offseason and a training camp standout. The Saints seem equipped to deal with what may lie ahead with Maye’s cases if found culpable.

This is a developing story.

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Tim Aragon becomes Broncos’ new general counsel following Rich Slivka’s retirement

The Broncos have named Tim Aragon their new general counsel following Rich Slivka’s retirement.

Changes to the Denver Broncos’ front office have already begun under new ownership.

First, team president/CEO Joe Ellis stepped down. He was replaced as chief executive officer by new co-owner/CEO Greg Penner. The team then hired Damani Leech as their new president.

On Friday, the Broncos announced another change: Tim Aragon has joined the team as general counsel. Aragon will become the club’s new attorney, replacing Rich Slivka, who retired from that role following the arrival of Denver’s new ownership group.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tim Aragon to the Broncos,” Penner said in a statement. “A highly respected attorney with deep sports experience, Tim is a Denver native and lifelong Broncos fan who is a distinguished leader in this community. His strategic counsel, depth of knowledge and business acumen will be a great asset to our organization.”

Before joining the Broncos, Aragon spent 18 years with the Denver office of the Hogan Lovells law firm. He has experience working with NFL, NBA, MLS and MLB teams. Aragon is also active in the community, serving on the board of the Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

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Cornerback Quinton Dunbar’s attorneys withdraw from his criminal case

Amidst allegations of bribery of witnesses, two attorneys for Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar have withdrawn from his criminal case.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar will now have new representation in his legal matter pending in Florida. As of Monday morning, his former attorneys, Michael Greico and co-counsel Michael Weinstein, have petitioned the court in Broward County to withdraw from the case.

“JUST IN: Quinton Dunbar’s criminal defense attorneys withdraw from the case and are replaced by new counsel who immediately serves discovery requests on the Broward State Attorney’s Office,” Daniel Wallach tweeted Monday, including photos of the pleadings in question. “One of the attorneys (Michael Grieco) had been implicated in a scheme to bribe witnesses.”

Dunbar was charged with four counts of armed robbery in May as a result of an incident that was alleged to have occurred at a party outside of Miami. Dunbar pleaded not guilty on all counts and is now awaiting trial on conditions of release.

But on Friday, a report surfaced alleging Dunbar had attempted to pay off the four witnesses who had previously provided statements on his behalf. Greico, Dunbar’s attorney at the time, denied the allegations in a statement to The Seattle Times.

Greico has now provided the following explanation to the Times in regards to his withdrawal.

This story is continuing to develop.

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Quinton Dunbar’s attorney speaks out on client’s armed robbery charges

Quinton Dunbar’s attorney, Michael Grieco, spoke with 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton regarding his client’s four armed-robbery charges.

The Seattle Seahawks traded for cornerback Quinton Dunbar this March and he is already making headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. Last Thursday, Dunbar was charged with four felony counts of armed robbery which stem from an incident that was alleged to have occurred on May 13.

Dunbar has since turned himself in on the warrants and was released on $100,000 bond, $25,000 for each charge.

His attorney, Michael Grieco, was interviewed by 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton on Monday morning. Grieco told Clayton he has sworn affidavits from four of the victims and one witness at the scene who could help to clear Dunbar’s name.

“With these five individuals, one of them had always consistently said that what the other four said was not accurate, so … the same statement to the police is the same statement he gave me,” Grieco told Clayton. “The other four individuals, they’ve come around and they’re telling the truth now. They told it to myself that this didn’t happen and we’re hoping that the state attorney’s office down here does the right thing.”

Greico is standing by his client as well, asserting his innocence in the matter. He insists Dunbar has no prior criminal record.

“He didn’t participate in any robbery, anything along those lines, and I know he left,” Grieco explained. “… I can tell you that he didn’t see anything when it came to what they’re alleging. I can’t speak to whether or not something happened inside the house. I can tell you Mr. Dunbar wasn’t there at the time, if it occurred at all, and he left.”

As for the interview, Greico wanted to help to set the record straight by publically discussing the matter with the local media urging people not to rush to judgment.

“It was very important for us to get the word out – I have those media relationships – to make sure that people know this is an innocent man,” Greico said. “Anybody can point a finger and allege something but soon as you kinda pull back the cover of the book, maybe it’s not exactly what you think it is. I don’t want people rushing to judgment as to either of the individuals, but specifically as to Quinton, he’s going to walk away from this exonerated.”

This story is continuing to develop.

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