Leading Sexual Harassment Investigator Calls for Independent Probe in Antonio Brown Case

Sacramento—Sept. 16—Sue Ann Van Dermyden, a national leader in conducting independent investigations into allegations of sexual assault and harassment in sports and the workplace, today called on the National Football League and New England Patriots to move to conduct a “thorough, impartial, third-party” probe into rape allegations against star NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown.

“Given Mr. Brown’s high-profile status, and questions about whether he should be allowed to play while the allegations are investigated, it is imperative there be an expeditious, independent investigation,” said Van Dermyden.

Van Dermyden, who has led numerous high-profile sexual assault investigations, most recently conducted the investigation into the allegations against the Sacramento Kings’ new head coach, Luke Walton. The Kings and the NBA completed their joint investigation after Van Dermyden’s firm, Van Dermyden Maddux Law Corporation, and the NBA had interviewed more than 20 people.  The accuser, Kelli Tennant, declined to participate in the investigation.

A civil lawsuit filed Sept. 10 alleged Brown sexually assaulted a former trainer in Florida in 2017 and 2018. The filing came days after Brown had been traded to the Patriots from the Oakland Raiders.

Van Dermyden Maddux is an investigations law firm based in Sacramento, CA., dedicated to conducting independent and timely workplace, professional sports, and Title IX campus investigations.