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Los Angeles Dodgers star Trevor Bauer will avoid charges after an investigation into domestic violence allegations from last year, according to multiple reports.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office decided not to charge Bauer after reviewing messages between the pitcher and the accuser, the Pasadena Police Department’s investigation and the transcript of the civil hearing last summer, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.
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3: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) looks on during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants on May 23, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Two sexual encounters between Bauer and the San Diego woman from last spring were under the spotlight in this case. Bauer was not charged after an investigation into the first encounter and there was reportedly not enough evidence to prove that Bauer committed a crime in May either.
The MLB is still investigating the incident. Bauer could face a suspension to start the 2022 season.
"MLB is continuing their investigation. We will have no further comment until it concludes," the Dodgers said in a statement, via AM 570.
Bauer was placed on administrative leave after the allegations first surfaced. While he signed a lucrative contract with the Dodgers before the start of the 2021 season, he only appeared in 17 games. He last pitched on June 28 before he was placed on leave.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 28, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
DODGERS PITCHER TREVOR BAUER'S LEAVE EXTENDED THROUGH THE 2021 SEASON
He was initially accused of choking a woman unconscious and allegedly punching her several times during two consensual sexual encounters.
A judge denied the 27-year-old woman’s request for a restraining order in August. The alleged victim said she sought the order when she learned the criminal probe of Bauer was likely going to take some time.
After a four-day hearing, Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman found that, based on the alleged victim's testimony, Bauer followed boundaries the woman set. The judge determined that Bauer couldn’t know boundaries the woman didn’t express.
Bauer released a statement on his YouTube page following the reports he would not be facing charges.
First off, you haven't heard from me much over the last few months, and the reason for that is simple. I've been respecting the Pasadena Police Department as they conducted their investigation, as I believe that allegations as serious as these should be fully investigated and not adjudicated in the media," he said. "The investigation has been extremely thorough and both the Pasadena Police and the District Attorney’s office have access to much more information than has been made public at this point. During the investigation, I've watched many draw premature conclusions based on an absurd amount of misinformation and false claims that have been circulated with absolutely no corroboration.
"In August, the Los Angeles Superior Court reviewed a host of information and testimony, and after a four-day hearing denied a request for a permanent restraining order against me, as the Court correctly found that there was no basis for this request. More importantly, in doing so, the Court also found that no sexual assault, act of abuse, or non-consensual sex occurred between me and the woman seeking the restraining order. And today, the District Attorney's Office announced that they are declining to press any charges. Both my representatives and I have expected this outcome from the beginning, and we are grateful that each of these neutral, third party arbiters have reviewed the relevant information and made clear and informed decisions on this matter. I have cooperated with the Pasadena Police Department’s investigation and my version of events has not waivered because it’s the truth. I also never ‘materially misled’ the court, as it was found that this woman did.
Trevor Bauer #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on after giving up a hit to Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
"I'm sure you've read a lot in the media on this matter, and I'm sure you've formed a lot of opinions as a result. As I mentioned, the majority of those reports are based on what the Los Angeles Superior Court has deemed to be a ‘materially misleading’ petition, so I'd like to set the record straight on what actually happened. I had consensual sex with this woman on two occasions at my residence in Pasadena, during which we engaged in rough sex. This is something that she brought up, we discussed together, and both agreed to engage in. We established rules and boundaries and I followed them. On both occasions, she consented beforehand when we established those boundaries. She also repeatedly consented during sex, when I asked her multiple times if she was enjoying herself and if she wanted to continue. In fact, she continued to direct me as to what she wanted in no uncertain terms.
"After we finished on both occasions, we talked briefly, joked around, laughed, and went to sleep. Following our second sexual encounter, we also showered (separately, I might add, and without assistance) before going to sleep. She chose to stay the night both times and left the following day without any incident or concern. And when she left she certainly did not look anything like the photos that were later attached to her family court declaration and circulated by her lawyers to the media."
Bauer made clear he never punched the woman in the face or in the vagina and never had anal sex with her. He maintained the sex was "rough" but consensual and the things that were alleged, "simply did not occur."
"You may not be my biggest fan or agree with everything I’ve said over the years, and that’s ok – I’m not a perfect person. If you want to judge me for engaging in rough sex with a woman that I hardly knew, that’s ok too. In evaluating my life over recent months, it's clear I've made some poor choices, particularly in regards to the people that I've chosen to associate with, but I am not the person that this woman, her lawyers, and certain members of the media have painted me to be.
"Allegations like this are extremely serious, and they should be thoroughly investigated, as has happened in this matter. However it's alarming to watch how quickly, willingly, and knowingly certain members of the media have taken one side of a story and tried to convict me in the court of public opinion without having or choosing to report anywhere close to all of the facts.
"But, on that note… The last several months have been an extremely challenging time and I want to say how incredibly grateful I am to the numerous teammates, players, coaches, fans, friends, and even complete strangers who have reached out and stood by me, even if it was in silence. To those people, your support and your kind words mean much more than you know.
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Bauer and his attorneys have denied any wrongdoing and have said through representatives that everything between Bauer and the woman was "wholly consensual."