Report: Patrick Chung arrested on assault and battery charge originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Former New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung is facing some serious legal trouble.
Chung was arrested Monday and charged with assault and battery on a family or household member and vandalizing property, The Athletic's Jeff Howe first reported Tuesday. Court paperwork confirmed the charges.
Chung pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Quincy District Court.
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Chung is accused of hitting the mother of his 11-year-old son, twice. Chung had no comment Tuesday as his attorney Sandy Persiridis blocked for him as he left court in Quincy.
According to the police report, Chung was dropping his son off Monday evening at the boy's mother’s house in Milton, Massachusetts, when a confrontation between the two unfolded.
Prosecutors alleged in court Tuesday that Chung shoved the woman to the ground, and when she tried to defend herself, Chung slapped her in the face. He also allegedly broke her phone.
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“She also complained of pain to her face given that the defendant had struck her with the palm side of his open hand in the right side of her face," the prosecutor said. "She did strike the defendant in an attempt to have him leave her alone. The defendant then struck her in the right side of her face again.”
Outside court, Chung said nothing and drove away while his attorney blamed his accuser.
“Mr. Chung is an upstanding member of the community. He’s a wonderful father and he looks forward to be able to set the record straight with respect to what actually occurred," Persiridis said. "He is the victim in all the aggression in this matter.”
Quincy District Court Judge Neil Hourihan ordered $10,000 bail and approved both a restraining order and an abuse prevention order, instructing Chung to keep his distance from the woman and her home for the next year. The next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7.
In August of 2019, Chung was indicted after prosecutors said he was found to be in possession of cocaine "on or about" June 25 in Meredith, New Hampshire, where he owned a lakeside home. The charges were dropped in January 2020 as part of a negotiated agreement.
As part of the agreement with prosecutors, Chung had to remain on good behavior and submit to periodic drug testing for two years and perform 40 hours of community service.
Depending on how Tuesday's assault case turns out, Chung could be in more legal trouble down the road.
The 34-year-old announced his NFL retirement in March after a 12-year career, 11 of which were spent in New England. Chung, who opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, won three Super Bowls with the Patriots after the team drafted him in 2009. He has been residing in Norton, Massachusetts, since retiring from the NFL before the 2021 season.
