Evander Kane not charged in sex offense investigation: Report
Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane "has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation into a sexual encounter” according to the Buffalo News.
In late December it was reported that Kane was the subject of a sex offense investigation. After the report, Kane spoke briefly on the matter, and hasn't discussed it publicly since.
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“I just want to say I've done nothing wrong,” he said. “I look forward to clearing my name."
Per the News, Acting District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. released a statement on the Kane investigation.
“This investigation was the result of the Buffalo Police following automatic protocols that are in place. Those protocols were followed and there was never a criminal complaint filed. After a careful and diligent examination of all the known facts, including the results of forensic and toxicological testing, neither the provable facts nor the applicable law support the filing of any criminal charges or a prosecution in this matter.... Out of respect for the privacy of all parties involved and given the fact that these matters need to be handled with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality, I am unable to comment any further regarding the details of the matter.”
According to the News, the 24-year-old Kane met a woman in downtown Buffalo on Dec. 27. The story notes, through a source, that Kane said the two had consensual sex. The woman “sought medical treatment at a local hospital and said she could not remember what happened.”
Hospital officials contacted police after finding evidence of trauma and examining the woman for signs of sexual assault. That resulted in police searches of Kane’s downtown hotel room and his sport utility vehicle.
Evander Kane was represented by Paul J. Cambria, who was Patrick Kane’s lawyer during a Buffalo-area rape investigation of the Blackhawks’ superstar last summer.
On Wednesday, the NHL announced it had closed its investigation into Patrick Kane.
Evander Kane is one of the top players on the Sabres and ranks second on the team with 19 goals. He was traded to Buffalo last season after a tumultuous time with the Winnipeg Jets organization.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper