A 24-year-old woman claims that Larry Johnson intentionally spit his drink in her face at a Kansas City nightclub earlier this month, according to a police report released Monday.
No charges had been filed or citations issued as of Monday, but Kansas City police said they were continuing to investigate the Oct. 14 incident at Club Blonde, 100 Ward Parkway.
The NFL also is conducting an investigation. Johnson, who has been accused by a woman of criminal offenses four times since he joined the Chiefs five years ago, could eventually be suspended for violating the league’s personal-conduct policy
Johnson’s attorney, Kevin E.J. Regan, said his client was cooperating fully with NFL investigators.
“It’s too early to comment about what truly happened that night because people have given statements in conflict with what’s in the police report,” Regan said. “We are taking these allegations very seriously. They will be investigated thoroughly…”
The woman who reported the incident could not be reached for comment.
According to the police report:
The woman went to the nightclub with friends, including one who knew Johnson. About a week earlier, Johnson had offered to buy her a drink inside the same club, but she turned him down.
As she was leaving this time, a friend said Johnson wanted to talk to her. When she approached him, he allegedly threatened to kill her boyfriend. She asked why. He said she had said something that upset him, and since he couldn’t do anything to her, he would do it to the boyfriend.
As she backed away, Johnson allegedly took a drink and spit it out on her face. His two bodyguards tackled her, and club bouncers escorted her outside.
After she complained to the manager, the club asked Johnson and his bodyguards to leave. She called police. While she waited outside, Johnson allegedly exited the club and tried to spit on her three more times.
Police responding to the call were delayed when they detoured to assist an officer. By the time they reached the club, the woman was gone, police said.
Four days later, the woman reported the incident at the Center Patrol station. That day, The Star broke a story that Johnson faced simple-assault charges in Kansas City Municipal Court for an alleged February incident involving another woman. He has a December court date in that case.
Prosecutors dropped charges in a 2003 case after he agreed to enter a domestic-violence diversion program. In 2005, a woman who accused Johnson of pulling her to a nightclub’s exit later changed her story and declined to prosecute.
Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson issued a statement Sunday saying the team was aware of the two most recent allegations against Johnson and had notified the NFL.
Coach Herm Edwards said Monday that the Chiefs would have no further comment.
Johnson may not start
The Chiefs might extend Larry Johnson’s absence from their starting lineup. Coach Herm Edwards said Monday that he hadn’t determined whether Johnson would play in Sunday’s game against the Jets at the Meadowlands.
Edwards held Johnson out of Sunday’s 34-10 loss to Tennessee at Arrowhead Stadium because Johnson was late for meetings and other team obligations. Edwards said last week the benching would be for only one game.
Edwards wouldn’t elaborate on his reasons for possibly benching Johnson against the Jets. But in the last week, two different allegations of assault against Johnson have surfaced.
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