Josh Jacobs' lawyers call police release of previously unreported abuse allegations 'character assassination'
The attorneys representing Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs admitted that the recently released police case file that includes new allegations of domestic abuse from years ago are threatening the running back's career, but also see it as a case of "character assassination" that is easily disproven.
That is the underlying point of a statement released Sunday afternoon by attorneys David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld and Clarence F. Duchac III to the media, including OutKick and Fox News Digital.
"The three accounts are old, are hearsay, and easily disproven, yet released to the media by police without any investigation to determine whether they were accurate or contradicted by evidence," the statement reads. "Josh is answering them in detail because of the character assassination that is occurring, unfairly threatening his career."
The NFL said in a statement Saturday that it is reviewing the previously unreported allegations that Jacobs physically abused multiple women whose existence came to light amid the investigation into the May 23 incident that was well-chronicled.
The NFL was already investigating Jacobs for that May 23 incident in which Jacobs pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property connected to a domestic incident with an ex-girlfriend in Green Bay.
Jacobs was convicted of the battery charge in September and spent six games on the commissioner’s exempt list this season. He has returned to the Packers, but the team has been among those keeping in contact with the Indianapolis Colts about trading for running back Jonathan Taylor.
The Packers would not be interested in Taylor if they expected to keep Jacobs.
Understanding this, the statement takes aim at the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department's case file release to the media.
"The file includes summaries of three telephone interviews describing events in 2021 and 2022," the statement from Jacobs' attorneys said. "Josh Jacobs denies all three accounts and has a substantial body of tangible evidence to back up his assertions.
"The police department’s released file contains only phone interviews, taken years after the fact, with no additional investigation, save for an acknowledgment that Josh did nothing wrong. Josh was not given an opportunity to present evidence to Hobart-Lawrence in response to the uncorroborated report, primarily because Hobart-Lawrence took no action related to the unsupported and stale allegations."
And then the details, according to the Jacobs side:
"One of these three women made a claim to the NFL, which reviewed it and decided no action was warranted. Josh has kept evidence that supports his accounts and the NFL’s decision. Nothing in the released file indicates that any such evidence was used or even sought. Indeed, the police report did not even present any of this information.
"Another woman made a claim in 2021, but only after Josh called the Las Vegas police to his home to report the woman for misconduct. A police report was written that day, which effectively undermined her claims. No further action was taken by any authority after she was removed from Josh’s home."
The police file, per NBC26 in Wisconsin, claims a third woman told the police that Jacobs slapped her in the face, threw her onto a bed, threw her to the floor, spit on her and grabbed her throat in January 2022.
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"Josh denies any physical altercation with the third woman," the statement from Jacobs' attorneys said. "She first contacted Josh and asked to visit. She came to Las Vegas and stayed at his home. Another person was present in the house during part of her stay. She stayed there overnight and left the following evening — on her own, in a car she ordered herself. The receipt for that ride is in the police file the department released, and it is consistent with Josh’s account of how the visit ended, not hers."
It's clear the Jacobs camp understands the stakes: Their client's enduring status in the NFL.
And they want to remind everyone that charges that resulted in a trial are the only history that should matter.
"Josh took responsibility for what happened in May," the attorneys said. "He entered into an agreement with prosecutors for two misdemeanors, and he is meeting the court’s requirements."
In his two games since returning to the 5–3 Packers, Jacobs has rushed 32 times for 75 yards and a touchdown, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry. The three-time Pro Bowler has been more productive as a receiver, catching 11 passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
After scoring one of his touchdowns in the Packers' 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, Jacobs had a controversial touchdown celebration. He insisted he wasn't making light of his recent arrest and that the celebration was instead inspired by a gospel song.