Matt Araiza accused of rape, served with a lawsuit.

[Don Otreply]

4 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Or you could just choose to ignore the thread

Okay enjoy the gossip then Joe…, 

 

Go Bills!!!

[billsfan1959]

Just now, Beck Water said:

 

I want to put this all behind us.  I want beyond anything for the TEAM to put this all behind them and not be distracted.

 

But honestly - does what Beane said make sense?  The Bills knew, at least as of July 30 when the plaintiff's lawyer called Kathryn D'Angelo and told her about the pending civil suit and the "boulders" of what was in it.  If they started investigating then and were dedicated to "not rush" and to collect information, how did their "information gathering" suddenly accelerate in the 48 hrs since the civil lawsuit was filed?

 

It is possible, that when faced with the lawsuit, the Bills information gathering went into overdrive and turned up something that gave them real pause.  And if so, Beane and McDermott quite likely can't talk about it for legal reasons. 

 

But I think it's also possible that

1) either McDermott was getting the 'high level summary' version from Beane, and when the lawsuit filing came out and he read it he threw up in his mouth and said  "Not on My Team, this has to go play out somewhere else"  (or, he watched guys on the team who have wives and daughters throwing up in their mouths)

2) or someone in the Bills PR/Customer Relations department pulled the plug and said "this is a freakin' disaster, make it go away"

3) or one of the Pegulas said "Hell to the No, do you hear me?"

 

I believe it was pretty much as Beane described it. They were made aware of the allegations and obtained Araiza’s version of the events. They then tried to find out what the actual facts supported. Unfortunately, it is an ongoing investigation and there is only so much information any LE agency is going to release about an active investigation.

 

Unless you have the ability to go through an entire investigative file, you have no idea what the actual facts are. If you rely on what is being released publicly, by either side, you are a fool. They are advocates and, believe it or not, there are occasions when the things they say do not reflect the actual facts in any way. Hell, there are times in the courtroom when arguments are complete distortions of the facts.

 

As they both said, it was difficult to get any factual information. When the civil suit was filed, it completely changed the dynamics. I think they are still in the same position most rational people are in: They still don’t have enough information to feel certain either way. 
 

In the end, I believe they did what they felt was best. I do not have any problem with Beane or McDermott in this situation. Everything they have done, said, and demonstrated in their time with the Bills says to me they are men of integrity and high character. Nothing that has transpired has changed my feelings about them.

[SinceThe70s]

4 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Or you could just choose to ignore the thread

 

I will never understand the 'please close this thread' posts. 

[Aussie Joe]

Just now, SinceThe70s said:

 

I will never understand the 'please close this thread' posts. 

No one is allowed to discuss  anything negative about my football team!

[SinceThe70s]

8 minutes ago, Hermes said:

 

The Bills had no choice to drop him regardless. Even if they knew with 100% certainty thay he was innocent. The media circus that would plague the team would be an absolute nightmare. Worst case scenario is that they keep him on and then he does get charged and arrested. How much does that derail the season, and what does that do to the reputation you've built?

 

 

That is a disturbing comment imo.

Edited August 28, 2022 by SinceThe70s

[ExiledInIllinois]

3 minutes ago, nedboy7 said:

 

No.  Humanity and dignity did. 

/Eyeroll

 

"...Did you make disease and the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind after we made you?
And the devil too! ..."

[Hermes]

4 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

That is a disturbing comment imo.

Why?

[ExiledInIllinois]

The dilemma here is... He's talented and a punter who can kick consistently 80 yards is a game breaker. Changer.

 

Sad... 

[Turbo44]

Just now, ExiledInIllinois said:

The dilemma here is... He's talented and a punter who can kick consistently 80 yards is a game breaker. Changer.

 

Sad... 

I loved Araiza but he's not consistently a 80 yard kicker.  He did that once in preseason, twice in college.  He averaged 52 yards in college, so, though impressive, this doesn't equate to consistent 80 yarders.

 

We'll pick up someone who averages 45-47 and will be fine.

[ExiledInIllinois]

2 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

I loved Araiza but he's not consistently a 80 yard kicker.  He did that once in preseason, twice in college.  He averaged 52 yards in college, so, though impressive, this doesn't equate to consistent 80 yarders.

 

We'll pick up someone who averages 45-47 and will be fine.

Yeah... I was nervous with his delayed release, extra step.  😬....Teams will see that on film and exploit?

[Chandler#81]

Getting snarky in here. Right, wrong or indifferent, it’s over.  Draw the curtain.

[Boatdrinks]

4 hours ago, Reks Ryan said:

You severely underestimate some people’s sexual deviance.   

True, and that goes for the plaintiff in this case as well. That cannot be overstated. 

[Bermuda Triangle]

7 minutes ago, muppy said:

to the bolded, Im not trying to be argumenative, but at this point in time, isnt they Why of the release a moot point? Wether it was to squelch the PR nightmare or araizas best interest, does it really matter? Please dont take offense Im curious as to what you think.. It was done either way.

I don't necessarily disagree.  But why did Beane feel the need to state the same canned line repeatedly?

 

The team knew about the allegations against Araiza, but decided to release Haack....and then they release Araiza after they first (supposedly) learned of the details via the filing?  Were they just hoping that the allegations would never go public, and bury their heads in the sand?

[CEN-CAL17]

I don’t understand with all the photos of her neck, bruises on her leg, she was bleeding elsewhere…… went to the police, rape kit etc….. and nothing? Hand written journals of who knows when they were written. 

 

This whole thing is a mess and doesn’t make any sense. 
 

Her lawyer is just putting all this stuff all over the social media, news etc… like “look how bad this is”….. yeah it looks bad. Bad enough to had done something last Oct/Nov!!!! Why now? Did the police have this same evidence??? If not, why not? Looks criminal to me. But many lawyers don’t expect criminal charges.

 

None of this passes the smell test!!!!!

[UKBillFan]

1 minute ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

I don't necessarily disagree.  But why did Beane feel the need to state the same canned line repeatedly?

 

The team knew about the allegations against Araiza, but decided to release Haack....and then they release Araiza after they first (supposedly) learned of the details via the filing?  Were they just hoping that the allegations would never go public, and bury their heads in the sand?

Or, as stated elsewhere, they were always going to move on from Haack. Either Araiza would punt or they were happy enough that some of those under free agency/waivers would be an upgrade.

[GoBills808]

1 minute ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

I don’t understand with all the photos of her neck, bruises on her leg, she was bleeding elsewhere…… went to the police, rape kit etc….. and nothing? Hand written journals of who knows when they were written. 

 

This whole thing is a mess and doesn’t make any sense. 
 

Her lawyer is just putting all this stuff all over the social media, news etc… like “look how bad this is”….. yeah it looks bad. Bad enough to had done something last Oct/Nov!!!! Why now? Did the police have this same evidence??? If not, why not? Looks criminal to me. But many lawyers don’t expect criminal charges.

 

None of this passes the smell test!!!!!

Sex assault cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute. The statistics are overwhelming.

[muppy]

Just now, Bermuda Triangle said:

I don't necessarily disagree.  But why did Beane feel the need to state the same canned line repeatedly?

 

The team knew about the allegations against Araiza, but decided to release Haack....and then they release Araiza after they first (supposedly) learned of the details via the filing?  Were they just hoping that the allegations would never go public, and bury their heads in the sand?

Gosh that is something I'd never considered. I guess for me I would prefer just think they were trying to handle it in the fairest way possible. Matt Araiza would have been great in a bills uniform but for all this. Fan favorite punt deity to cut.  Its a terrible look for araiza mostly. McBeane I can forgive for their misdeeds if any did happen. good talk thanks.

[Bermuda Triangle]

1 minute ago, UKBillFan said:

Or, as stated elsewhere, they were always going to move on from Haack. Either Araiza would punt or they were happy enough that some of those under free agency/waivers would be an upgrade.

maybe that was the plan.  I guess we'll never know for sure.

[Beck Water]

26 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said:

As they both said, it was difficult to get any factual information. When the civil suit was filed, it completely changed the dynamics. I think they are still in the same position most rational people are in: They still don’t have enough information to feel certain either way. 

 

I'm curious as to your take about how the actual filing of the civil suit changed the dynamics?

 

 

 

[BullBuchanan]

4 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

I don’t understand with all the photos of her neck, bruises on her leg, she was bleeding elsewhere…… went to the police, rape kit etc….. and nothing? Hand written journals of who knows when they were written. 

 

This whole thing is a mess and doesn’t make any sense. 
 

Her lawyer is just putting all this stuff all over the social media, news etc… like “look how bad this is”….. yeah it looks bad. Bad enough to had done something last Oct/Nov!!!! Why now? Did the police have this same evidence??? If not, why not? Looks criminal to me. But many lawyers don’t expect criminal charges.

 

None of this passes the smell test!!!!!

It's almost like maybe police don't always do the right thing. I dunno.

[muppy]

7 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

Getting snarky in here. Right, wrong or indifferent, it’s over.  Draw the curtain.

Hold the door please 🙂

[vincec]

1 hour ago, CountDorkula said:

DeShaun Watson was also found innocent.......... so.........

Yeah, but he plays for the Browns.

[4merper4mer]

1 minute ago, UKBillFan said:

Or, as stated elsewhere, they were always going to move on from Haack. Either Araiza would punt or they were happy enough that some of those under free agency/waivers would be an upgrade.

Or they were satisfied with Araiza’s initial response/explanation but found out later he lied about part of it.  We may never know and there are parts that shouldn’t be public until the appropriate time.  Criminal cases outweigh civil which outweigh fans “need to know” by miles.

[PetermansRedemption]

If this was a cash grab, it sure didn’t shape up well for the accusers attorney. Araiza won’t have much to go after now. 

[UKBillFan]

Just now, Bermuda Triangle said:

maybe that was the plan.  I guess we'll never know for sure.

Cynically, did we cut Haack when we did to see if being named as the punter would result in a civil case against Araiza, giving us enough time to sort things out prior to the 53 man cut and additional players available via the waivers if need be?

[CEN-CAL17]

1 minute ago, GoBills808 said:

Sex assault cases are notoriously difficult to prosecute. The statistics are overwhelming.

She if anything was beaten. She called the 3 guys she’s accusing 10 days after it happened.

 

Anyone who does something like that, gets accused of rape or even assault usually gets charged criminally relatively quick. It’s not like she didn’t know who did this. She accused those 3 within days. With that kind of “evidence” why would it take almost a year to just file a civil suit?  What does SDPD know is my question? What evidence do they have?

[Beck Water]

15 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

I loved Araiza but he's not consistently a 80 yard kicker.  He did that once in preseason, twice in college.  He averaged 52 yards in college, so, though impressive, this doesn't equate to consistent 80 yarders.

 

We'll pick up someone who averages 45-47 and will be fine.

 

There's also the point that I heard questions about whether he could kick directionally and kick short, to pin a team deep.

[Beerball]

17 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

The dilemma here is... He's talented and a punter who can kick consistently 80 yards is a game breaker. Changer.

 

Sad... 

Sad? What makes you sad here is that a punter got cut? If this is truly a sad situation then Araiza will be on another roster before the sun sets tomorrow. 

[UKBillFan]

1 minute ago, 4merper4mer said:

Or they were satisfied with Araiza’s initial response/explanation but found out later he lied about part of it.  We may never know and there are parts that shouldn’t be public until the appropriate time.  Criminal cases outweigh civil which outweigh fans “need to know” by miles.

Beane made clear Araiza’s story has not altered at any point. More may come out via a civil or criminal case which reveals he has but, for now, neither said they were lied to by him.

[Motorin']

2 minutes ago, PetermansRedemption said:

If this was a cash grab, it sure didn’t shape up well for the accusers attorney. Araiza won’t have much to go after now. 

 

She was quoted in an article a month ago that she's going public now bc she doesn't want him to play in the NFL and make a ton of money. Which seems to completely contradict the cash grab claim. 

[ToGoGo]

33 minutes ago, Hermes said:

 

The Bills had no choice to drop him regardless. Even if they knew with 100% certainty thay he was innocent. The media circus that would plague the team would be an absolute nightmare. Worst case scenario is that they keep him on and then he does get charged and arrested. How much does that derail the season, and what does that do to the reputation you've built?

 

 

The media is to blame. 

 

Even after Beane cut him, they were going after him. The media even sent the females out to ask questions.

 

"Why now?" "Why not cut him in July?"

 

The subtext being "do you hate women?" "Why didn't you immediately believe the accuser?" "Why didn't you immediately assume he was guilty?" 

 

Sleazy sleazy sleazy. They're all desperate for a purpose and to APPEAR intrepid. 

 

If the media is so ethical and fearless why won't anybody ask the Bills why La Nova Pizza owned by the HEAD OF THE BUFFALO MAFIA CRIME FAMILY is licensed to sell food at the stadium. It's a rhetorical question. It's because they're phonies. Let's listen to Wawrow put his betters on the judgement chair instead. 

[Einstein]

3 minutes ago, PetermansRedemption said:

it sure didn’t shape up well for the accusers attorney. Araiza won’t have much to go after now. 

 

That’s the part that is most confusing for me.

 

If you are suing someone civilly, it is for money.

 

The actions of the alleged victims attorney helped accelerate Araiza’s release from his source of income.

 

I wonder if he fully thought this through.

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 minute ago, Beerball said:

Sad? What makes you sad here is that a punter got cut? If this is truly a sad situation then Araiza will be on another roster before the sun sets tomorrow. 

Sad that he wasted his talent being evil. 

 

Sad... If he is on another roster.  Period.

[CEN-CAL17]

5 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

It's almost like maybe police don't always do the right thing. I dunno.

That’s the question. What does the SDPD have and what facts do they have? Anything that supports all this stuff over the media? If not…..

[ExiledInIllinois]

3 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

That’s the part that is most confusing for me.

 

If you are suing someone civilly, it is for money.

 

The actions of the alleged victims attorney helped accelerate Araiza’s release from his source of income.

 

I wonder if he fully thought this through.

Or sued to get criminal case to piss or get off pot.

 

They should sue SDSU, the next deep pocket with a $350 million endowment.  They passed the buck to SDPD. Get them to move.  Was there a grand jury?

 

 

 

Anyone now what Vic's lawyer is saying after this???

Edited August 28, 2022 by ExiledInIllinois

[Einstein]

1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Or sued to get criminal case to piss or get off pot.

 

I didn’t realize a civil case could do that. I am admittedly no legal expert.

[Andy1]

McBean did the best they could given a no win scenario. They had to make a decision with incomplete information. They made the right choice cutting him. I hope they find a capable punter/holder. I’m glad this crap is behind us. On to the season and the rams.

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

 

I didn’t realize a civil case could do that. I am admittedly no legal expert.

I didn't either.  But after reading through here, I think it's possible?  Still not sure???

2 minutes ago, Andy1 said:

McBean did the best they could given a no win scenario. They had to make a decision with incomplete information. They made the right choice cutting him. I hope they find a capable punter/holder. I’m glad this crap is behind us. On to the season and the rams.

And they put a goose egg on last actual exhibition game.  So going into live game with a new holder cold.

[london_bills]

Just seen the press conference. They handled that well

[NickelCity]

It's entirely plausible that down the road Ariza signs with another team (if and after legal matters resolve).

 

I still couldn't hold it against the Bills. There was really no viable alternative for them right now.