Sabres’ Evander Kane cleared in sexual assault investigation
Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane will not face criminal charges after an investigation looked into allegations of a possible sexual assault, prosecutors announced.
A district attorney said the decision was made after an examination of the facts that includes a forensic and toxicological test.
"No charge will be filed because there is no evidence to support the filing of a criminal filing of a criminal action," district attorney Michael Flaherty said.
No criminal complaint was ever filed against Kane.
“We were confident all along that there was basis to claim that Evander had done anything wrong," Kane's lawyer, Paul Cambria, told the Associated Press. “And we're glad that he's been cleared. And now it's time for him to move forward and put this behind him.”
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Details about what prompted the investigation or the accusation were never revealed by police and the district attorney.
The incident allegedly took place in the early hours of Dec. 27 at a downtown hotel, where Kane lives. After a win against the Boston Bruins, Kane returned to his apartment with other teammates before the incident took place. Police searched Kane's room and his vehicle as part of standard police practice.
Kane is in his first season with the Sabres and has 19 goals in 58 games.