By Michael Stets
Lions head coach Matt Patricia, as well as the team’s front office and ownership, released statements late on Wednesday evening after a Detroit News report surfaced revealing Patricia had been indicted, but never prosecuted, for aggravated sexual assault back in March 1996.
“As someone who was falsely accused of this very serious charge over 22 years ago, and never given the opportunity to defend myself and clear my name, I find it incredibly unfair, disappointing, and frustrating that this story would resurface now with the only purpose being to damage my character and reputation. I firmly maintain my innocence, as I have always done,” Patricia said in a statement.
“I would never condone any of the behavior that was alleged and will always respect and protect the rights of anyone who has been harassed or is the victim of violence. My priorities remain the same – to move forward and strive to be the best coach, teacher, and man that I can possibly be.”
Patricia, who was 21 at the time of the allegations, was attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a member of the football team. He was arrested in March of 1996 along with teammate Greg Dietrich while on spring break in South Padre Island, Texas after a 21-year-old woman accused the pair of breaking into her hotel room and sexually assaulting her. In August of 1996, Patricia and Dietrich were both indicted by a grand jury, but the case was dropped in January 1997 after the prosecution requested the case be dismissed when the accuser did not return to court to testify. According to records from the District Court of Cameron County, a handwritten note on the motion to dismiss said the following about the accuser: “Victim does not feel she can face the pressures or stress of a trial.”
Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford, team president Rod Wood and GM Bob Quinn released a joint statement on Wednesday night in support of Patricia.
“Responding to a published report this evening from the Detroit News, The Detroit Lions are aware that a criminal charge involving sexual assault was brought against Matt Patricia in 1996. Matt was 21 at the time and on spring break in Texas. The charge was dismissed by the prosecutor at the request of the complaining individual prior to trial. As a result, Coach Patricia never had the opportunity to present his case or clear his name publicly in a court of law. He has denied that there was any factual basis for the charge. There was no settlement agreement with the complaining individual, no money exchanged hands and there was no confidentiality agreement. In discussions today with Lions management, the reporter involved acknowledged that the allegations have not been substantiated.
“As an organization, The Detroit Lions take allegations regarding sexual assault or harassment seriously. Coach Patricia was the subject of a standard pre-employment background check which did not disclose this issue. We have spoken to Coach Patricia about this at length as well as the attorney who represented him at the time. Based upon everything we have learned, we believe and have accepted Coach Patricia’s explanation and we will continue to support him. We will continue to work with our players and the NFL to further awareness of and protections for those individuals who are the victims of sexual assault or violence.”
Patricia has a press conference scheduled for 11:45 am ET on Thursday in Allen Park.