NFL Star Reuben Foster Has Domestic Violence Charges Abruptly Dropped
Court documents obtained by TMZ Sports on Thursday show that pending domestic abuse charges against Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster have been abruptly dropped.
It’s unclear why the charges were dropped. Foster was scheduled to appear at an arraignment in Florida on Thursday before the notice of termination of prosecution was filed.
The misdemeanor charges stemmed from an incident on Nov. 24 that led the San Francisco 49ers to release the former first-round pick the next day.
Foster’s ex-girlfriend, Elissa Ennis, alleged that Foster slapped her and broke her phone at the 49ers’ team hotel in Tampa.
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-girlfriend of NFL star Reuben Foster recounts alleged assault as she speaks out to @ABC News’ @LinseyDavis. https://t.co/IQ2g78h2zS pic.twitter.com/3BWDQbJWuq
— ABC News (@ABC) December 6, 2018
“He invited me to come see him in Florida, and I came and he took one of my phones,” Ennis said on ABC News. “He slapped me and pushed me.”
Foster’s attorney told TMZ that he believes the case was dropped due to credibility issues with Ennis.
Ennis previously alleged that Foster attacked her in February, which led to his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence, among other charges.
But about two months later, she made a statement through her lawyer in which she recanted the allegations. Ennis then testified under oath that she fabricated the story “as a money scheme.”
“I was lying about a lot of stuff,” she testified while fighting back tears. “It was all a money scheme. I didn’t want to get this far in the news.”
After news of Foster’s most recent case being dropped, the NFL released a statement in which it said it was monitoring the situation.
“We are monitoring all developments in the matter, which continues to be under review by the league,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
After Foster was released by the 49ers, he was claimed by the Redskins just three days later. He was then placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, which prevents him from playing until the league’s investigation is complete.
Redskins coach Jay Gruden said that even though the team took a chance on Foster, it’s uncertain that he will ever see the field.
“There’s no guarantee he’s ever going to play here,” Gruden said. “He’s got a lot of work to do — personally, with the team, with the NFL, with himself — before he even thinks about playing football again.”
Foster was the 31st overall pick of the 2017 draft by San Francisco. Due to injuries, suspensions and his legal issues, he has played in just 16 games in two seasons, which is the fewest for any first-round pick from that draft.
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