Police say woman allegedly assaulted by Pirates’ Kang initially did not cooperate
Chicago police have released a heavily redacted incident report that says the woman who claimed to be a victim of a sexual assault by Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang did not initially cooperate with investigators.
But additional information that might have provided context to explain her initial reluctance was blacked out by police.
The report, which obscured Mr. Kang’s name, listing him as “offender,” was released in response to a records request from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that specifically sought documentation of the incident involving the major leaguer.
In its response, dated Monday, the police department said that the case is being “actively investigated” and that release of more information might obstruct detectives’ efforts. “Witnesses are still being interviewed and witnesses are still being sought for interview,” the police department said.
Police began an investigation in June after a 23-year-old woman said she had been sexually as- saulted by Mr. Kang in a hotel room after he gave her an alcoholic drink that caused her to lose consciousness.
No charges have been filed, and Mr. Kang’s status with the team remains unchanged.
His agent, Alan Nero, declined to comment.
The incident report said the woman became acquainted with the baseball player through an online dating application for a smartphone. It said that the two agreed to meet at the Westin Hotel on North Michigan Avenue on June 17 around 10 p.m.
While in the hotel room, the
report said, the two were talking and Mr. Kang offered the woman an alcoholic drink.
What happened next was blacked out of the report, which picked up two days later when the woman went to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
“While being treated at above hospital, CPD was notified and (victim) refused info for report at that time... (Victim) stated that due to ... (offender) ..., she did not initially cooperate or request that report should be taken at that time,” the report read in part, with some portions redacted.
Police have said that the woman told them that she remembered drifting in and out of consciousness.
She claimed that she remembered Mr. Kang sexually assaulting her, and that she regained full consciousness while in a taxicab, police said.
The police report indicates that the “injury extent” to the woman was “minor.”
Rape kit evidence was collected June 19 at the hospital, which contacted police that day. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi has said the woman and police were in contact over the next 10 days, though he would not release details. The woman filed a formal complaint June 29.
No criminal charges have been filed.
Mr. Guglielmi previously described Mr. Kang, 29, as a “potential suspect.”