Suspended Browns Coach Involved In Assault Complaint
TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The city prosecutor's review of an assault complaint filed against Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller is expected to take several days.
Moeller was indefinitely suspended Monday by the Browns, who said in a statement they were taking the allegations against him "very seriously." The team added it had determined that "right now it is best for the team and for Andy to take time away from the organization to focus on his personal matters."
On Tuesday, police released a report on the incident involving Moeller, whose name was redacted in the document. According to the report, police were called to a local residence Saturday night to investigate a woman's claim she had been assaulted. Police spoke to both parties and got "conflicting stories." The report said no injuries were observed and the woman was taken to a hotel at her request.
Later, the woman contacted police to say she was injured and wanted to press charges. She signed an assault complaint before changing her mind. Police informed her that the initial statement would be sent to the prosecutor's office for review.
Moeller, who was suspended two games in 2011 and fined $47,000 by the NFL for violating the league's personal-conduct policy, was not arrested.
In a statement issued Tuesday, prosecutor Jim Walters said his review could take "a number of days."
"If charges are issued," Walters continued, "an announcement will be made at an appropriate time. Since this is an ongoing investigation, and since no charges have been made at this time, no further information from the police report and no further investigative material will be released."
The 51-year-old Moeller is in his second season on Mike Pettine's staff with Cleveland after spending six years with Baltimore. When he was suspended four years ago, Moeller had three other alcohol-related arrests in a four-year span.
Pettine said assistant line coach George DeLeone will fill in for Moeller.
The Browns open the season Sunday at the New York Jets.
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