March 09--Just over four months after an Erie County prosecutor closed a sexual assault investigation into Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane without any charges filed against Kane, the NHL concluded its separate investigation of the matter and concluded the allegations against Kane were "unfounded."
According to a statement the league released Wednesday, Kane met with Commissioner Gary Bettman on Monday in New York and will face no punishment from the league.
"The National Hockey League announced (Wednesday) that it has completed its independent review of the Patrick Kane matter, the final stage of which included an in-person meeting between Kane and Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York on Monday, March 7," the statement said. "Based on its review, including the determination made by the Erie County District Attorney not to pursue charges, the NHL has concluded that the allegations made against Kane were unfounded. The League considers the matter closed and will have no further comment."
Following a three month investigation, Erie County prosecutor Frank Sedita III said he would not file chages against Kane after a woman claimed Kane sexually assaulted her at his home in western New York on Aug. 1. At the time, Sedita said he noticed problems with the allegations and said "this so-called 'case' is rife with reasonable doubt."
After Sedita closed the investigation, the NHL opened its own review of the case, which has taken until now to complete.
