Jordan De Goey’s assault case adjourned amid plea deal talks
Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has fronted another video hearing on assault and harassment charges in relation to an incident at a New York bar.
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AFL star Jordan De Goey will “likely” be offered a plea deal for a downgraded harassment charge that will ensure he avoids jail time in relation to an incident at a New York bar last year.
De Goey, 25, appeared from Melbourne via videolink in a New York court on assault and harassment charges before Judge Anna Swern in a US court on Wednesday morning.
The Collingwood player was arrested and charged after he allegedly became involved in an altercation at the PHD Rooftop Lounge atop of the Dream Hotel in Manhattan on Halloween. The incident saw him spend the night in a jail cell.
De Goey - who previously pleaded not guilty - spoke briefly, acknowledging that he consented to the proceedings being held virtually and confirming he understood the judge’s instructions before both parties discussed making a plea deal.
Prosecutor Brendan Mahon said they had “video surveillance footage” of the alleged altercation but that “the people are likely” to make a conditional offer of a plea deal for a harassment in the second degree charge.
De Goey’s lawyer Jacob Kaplan told the court that the prosecution had indicated that it would offer a plea deal to the harassment violation but changed it to a misdemeanour “five minutes” earlier. He said the defence needed time to find a suitable counselling program in Australia for him to participate in as part of the agreement.
The judge said there was “no firm commitment to a violation” at this stage but reiterated that the prosecution appeared “likely to (make) that offer”.
“The next step is you getting the programming and sending it to the DA to get the opportunity to review that information ...and if the DA accepts it... (De Goey) will then be sentenced for conditional discharge,” Judge Swern told Mr Kaplan.
The case was adjourned to January 28.
The judge warned De Goey, who appeared on screen wearing a white collared shirt and a black jacket, that he “must be back’ for the hearing.
“Failure to come back has serious consequences,” she said.
“At least at this point you may appear virtually (from Australia).”
De Goey will remain on supervised release in the meantime.
The off-season drama unfolded when De Goey was in the US training as part of an agreement with Monster Energy.
The club said in its latest statement about De Goey - following his last appearance for a procedural hearing on December 8 - that he would remain stood down by the Magpies indefinitely.
“Collingwood continues to assess the course of the case against Jordan and awaits meaningful developments that will allow for a more complete review of the facts,” it read.
“Until that time Jordan will remain stood down.
“Collingwood officials met with Jordan earlier this week and he will continue to be paid in full while stood down and receive welfare support services through the club.”
The AFL previously endorsed the club’s decision which meant De Goey would not “be permitted to train or play with Collingwood or make use of club resources, staff or facilities”.
De Goey had initial forcible touching charges dropped in the days after the New York incident.
De Goey’s mate, tattoo artist Luke Dyson, was allegedly with him on the night of the incident, and is also facing related charges and expected to appear in court today.
De Goey has previously told friends a push-and-shove broke out after patrons helped themselves to drinks from his bottle service, with at least one punch believed to have been thrown.
De Goey has enlisted powerful New York defence law firm Brafman & Associates to help defend him.The firm has represented the who’s who of New York figures including movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, with De Goey likely to pay tens of thousands of dollars to fund his defence.
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Originally published as Jordan De Goey’s assault case adjourned amid plea deal talks
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