Rape claim could still be in limbo by draft day
The Denver Post
The football career of Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis could still be in limbo when the team decides whether to replace him in the NFL draft next month.
Prosecutors at the Fulton County District Attorney’s office may not decide until June whether Gotsis, 25, will be cleared of wrongdoing in a formal announcement or charged with rape, Chris Hopper, spokesman for District Attorney Paul Howard Jr., indicated in an email Wednesday.
“This case is still under investigation by our office. We will make (an) announcement on charges within 90 days,” Hopper said.
But the NFL draft begins April 26, a little more than a month from now.
Gotsis’ attorney, Sara Becker, of Atlanta, was not available for comment Wednesday.
Even if prosecutors decide there is insufficient evidence to charge Gotsis within the 90 days, it is still possible he could be charged as late as 2028 if new evidence is found. The statute of limitations for rape in Georgia is 15 years, Hopper said.
Atlanta police arrested Gotsis on March 7 for investigation of allegations he raped a woman in Georgia in 2013 while he was a member of the Georgia Tech football team. He is accused of overcoming the will of a 25-year-old woman on March 9, 2013, in Atlanta.
The district attorney’s Crimes Against Women and Children unit will determine whether to file formal criminal charges against Gotsis, Hopper said previously.
Gotsis is free on a $50,000 bond, Fulton County Jail officials have said.
Becker, of the law firm Arora & LaScala LLC, previously said “we steadfastly maintain the allegations are false” and that “we will continue to advocate strongly for Adam’s innocence.”
The Denver Broncos released a statement saying the organization takes such allegations very seriously, reported the issue to the league and will remain in communication with the league while monitoring the legal proceedings.
Gotsis, a Melbourne, Australia, native, was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft. Recovery from a knee injury limited his play as a rookie, but Gotsis came into his own in 2017 as he started 13 of 16 games and recorded 41 total tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery. He was expected to assume a larger role in the Broncos’ defense in the coming season.