An Arizona woman who accused former major league pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault has been charged with fraud and theft by extortion in a scheme that allegedly spanned several years. The woman, who sued Bauer in December 2022, claimed he raped her in 2020, resulting in a pregnancy that she later said ended in a miscarriage. Bauer denied the allegations and said the encounter was consensual, accusing the woman of faking the pregnancy to extort money from him. His attorneys claimed she made several million-dollar demands against him, which he ultimately paid for related expenses.
The indictment against the woman does not provide specific details about the alleged crimes, but it states that Bauer and another person were defrauded in the scheme. Bauer, who was never arrested or charged, has maintained his innocence and released a video statement asserting that the situation is a “massive lie.” He expressed frustration at the impact the allegations have had on his ability to work and continue earning a living. Bauer has been trying to revive his major league career after serving a suspension for violating the league’s policies on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
In addition to the recent charges filed against the woman, Bauer faced a previous accusation of beating and sexually abusing another woman, for which he was suspended. Following his release from the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023, he played with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan’s Pacific League before signing a deal to pitch for Mexico’s Diablos Rojos this spring. Despite his efforts to return to professional baseball, Bauer continues to face legal challenges and controversies related to the sexual assault allegations brought against him.
The woman who accused Bauer of sexual assault is scheduled to be arraigned on the fraud and theft charges next Friday. Court records did not list an attorney for her in the fraud case, and her lawyer from the lawsuit against Bauer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The legal battle between Bauer and the accuser has garnered significant attention, with both parties presenting conflicting narratives about the events that transpired in 2020. As the case unfolds, the public and the baseball community await further developments and resolutions in this complex and contentious legal matter.
