Lawrence Taylor Denies Rape Allegations

RAMAPO - Ex-pro football superstar Lawrence Taylor found himself playing defense again today, this time against charges of statutory rape and soliciting a prostitute.

Taylor, 51, is accused of paying $300 to have sex with a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing from her Bronx home in March.

Ramapo police arrested Taylor in Room 160 of the Holiday Inn in Montebello at about 3:54 a.m., Police Chief Peter Brower said.

Ramapo authorities were assisted by New York City detectives who were investigating the man who brought the girl to Taylor's room. While the man was taking her back to the city, she sent a text message to her uncle, who in turn called the city police.

Upon determining the girl's location, the police took the man into custody. New York City police have charged Rasheed Davis, 36, with unlawful imprisonment, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Taylor, who was in the area for corporate appearances in New York City, has cooperated with the investigation, Brower said.

Police said the girl, who was not identified because of the nature of the charges, sustained facial injuries before entering Taylor's room. Taylor told the police that he did not injure her, and the police believe him.

"He was very concerned about injuries to the victim," Brower said at a media conference outside Ramapo Town Hall in Airmont. "He was not responsible for the injuries."

Ramapo Detective Brad Weidel said at the conference that Taylor was found asleep when police arrived at his room early this morning. The police used a hotel-provided key to enter the room, where they found Taylor alone in bed.

Taylor was freed on $75,000 bail set by Ramapo Town Justice Arnold Etelson during a 4 p.m. arraignment. Taylor did not enter a plea. Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Parietti said the charges would be presented to a grand jury on Monday.

One of the charges, third-degree rape, is punishable by up to four years imprisonment. The charge is that a person over 21 years of age engaged in sexual conduct with a person under 17, whose age made her incapable of consent. The charge of soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

During the arraignment proceedings, Etelson issued a six-month order of protection that forbade Taylor from having any conduct with the girl. Taylor's lawyer, Arthur Aidala of Manhattan, objected, saying that Taylor could accidentally find himself near the girl, say in an airport line, and not know it.

"Mr. Taylor doesn't know who this person is," Aidala said. "He doesn't know her name. He doesn't know anything about her."

Aidala also argued to have Taylor released without bail.

"Look around the courtroom," Aidala said, gesturing toward rows filled with reporters and two photographers in the jury box. "Where could Lawrence Taylor run? Mr. Taylor has no interest except to address these charges and to abide by the law. He's not going anywhere. He's a law-abiding individual."

In her arguments for bail, Parietti brought up a November 2009 charge against Taylor of leaving the scene of a property damage auto accident near Miami that involved another vehicle, as well as his past problems with illicit drugs.

Aidala said Taylor had been drug-free for a dozen years.

Outside the courtroom, Aidala said Taylor was eager to address the charges against him.

"Lawrence Taylor did not have consensual sex with anyone last night," Aidala said. "Lawrence Taylor did not rape anyone. Am I clear?"

Also attending the court session was Mark Lepselter, who said he was a long-time business associate of Taylor's.

"I've known Lawrence for 20 years," Lepselter said. "He's devastated, absolutely devastated. I think Lawrence is very upset. He's worked very hard over the last 12 years to change perceptions about him. The guy I deal with on a day-to-day basis is a person that a lot of people are very fond of."

Taylor, a former New York Giants linebacker, was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He was the Giant's first-round draft pick in 1981, and made 10 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Early this evening, a grim stone-faced Taylor slowly made his way through a media gauntlet of video and still cameras surrounding him as he left the police headquarters and  climbed into a black sport utility vehicle with Aidala and Lepselter.

As 10 TV satellite trucks on the town hall parking lot beamed the day's story around the world, Jim Reece of Ramapo recalled the Taylor he knew as a gentleman and a golfer.

Reece, in the clubhouse of the Spook Rock Golf Course, said he golfed often with Taylor during his playing days.

"I was surprised and disappointed," Reece said of learning of the charges against Taylor. "I'm disappointed with everything that's going on with professional athletes everywhere these days. "I don't know the circumstances. To me, I think he's a great guy."

Reece recalled some of their rounds.

"Every now and then kids would sneak onto the course and he (Taylor) would say, all right and go over and sign autographs. We'd play here and go over to his place for a cookout. To me, he was always a good guy."

Taylor, who used to have a home in Upper Saddle River, N.J., now lives in Pembrook Pines, Fla. His lawyer expected him to return home pending the grand jury's action.