Defense Attorney: Nelson Agholor “Has Not Engaged In Any Criminal Conduct”

Photo by Jeff Fusco

Prominent Philadelphia defense attorney Fortunato “Fred” Perri, Jr. has rebuffed an allegation that Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor sexually assaulted a dancer at Cheerleaders Gentlemen’s Club.

“Nelson has not engaged in any criminal conduct,” wrote Perri, who is representing Agholor, in an email late Friday afternoon. “We’re confident that he will not be charged with a crime.”

Earlier today, Philadelphia magazine reported that a 27-year-old woman told police she was raped by Agholor inside the South Philadelphia club about 3 p.m. on Thursday. She filed a complaint later that night. 

“There was an allegation made against one of the [Eagles] players of a sexual assault that was reported by one of the female dancers,” Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the magazine. “Our Special Victims Unit is actively running on the investigation.”

Law enforcement sources said two other Eagles — defensive end Connor Barwin and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox — visited Cheerleaders with Agholor. Barwin released a statement Friday evening:

“As a result of my name being mentioned in conjunction with this alleged incident, I would like to clarify that I was only present at the establishment for a very short period of time and have no knowledge about anything that happened after I left the establishment.  I stopped by there for about a half hour to meet my teammates, and left at around 2:30 pm.”

Cox also released a statement:

“Although I was at the establishment with my teammates on Thursday, I want to make it clear I had no involvement in the alleged incident.”

Investigators are trying to obtain surveillance footage from the club, and plan to interview Agholor. An Eagles spokesman confirmed that the team is aware of the allegation, and has been in touch with the 23-year-old wide receiver.

Agholor hasn’t made any public comments about the dancer’s claims. He was drafted 20th overall by the Eagles in 2015. The team finished their spring practice schedule early Thursday afternoon.

Follow @dgambacorta on Twitter.