DETROIT – Craig Monroe is “vehemently” denying the social media allegations that resulted in his absence from Detroit Tigers television broadcasts the past few weeks.
Monroe has been off the air since the team’s June 7-9 series against the Milwaukee Brewers. On Tuesday, the Tigers and Bally Sports Detroit confirmed his absence is due to allegations made against him by a woman on social media.
📄 Craig Monroe controversy: Everything we do and don’t know
The woman posted on Twitter and Instagram last month, accusing Monroe of raping her while she was a child. She said he was living with her family and playing for the Port Charlotte Rangers at the time.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in Florida confirmed that there is an active investigation involving Monroe.
Monroe issued a statement Tuesday evening via his lawyers, Manley & Manley -- a criminal defense firm out of Flint.
Here’s the full statement:
Craig Monroe did not dignify these horrifying and false allegations when they appeared on various social media sites. Now that mainstream media has chosen to report this inaccurate information, Craig has no choice but to vehemently deny these claims. We will cooperate with law enforcement and are confident that once this case is fully investigated, Craig will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Craig Monroe takes allegations of this nature very seriously and would never commit or condone such despicable conduct. He and his family are shocked by these allegations and offer his accuser forgiveness and grace. We trust that law enforcement will uncover the truth regarding her background and motivations.
Manley & Manley law firm
Monroe, 47, played 672 games for the Tigers from 2003 and 2007. He’s been a member of the broadcast crew for several years.