FILE – Deandre Baker #27 of the New York Giants celebrates breaking up a pass intended for Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brett Carlsen/Getty Images/AFP
Prosecutors in Florida have withdrawn robbery charges against former New York Giants players DeAndre Baker following an alleged hold-up at a party in Fort Lauderdale in May, officials said Monday.
Broward County State Attorney’s Office confirmed all charges against Baker had been dropped after a lawyer for his alleged victims was arrested and charged with extortion.
Baker, who was cut by the New York Giants in September after just one season, was accused of holding up revelers at gunpoint along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar. Charges against Dunbar were withdrawn in August.
Baker’s lawyer, Bradford Cohen, told the NFL Network on Tuesday that the decision proved his client had been innocent from the outset.
“I’ve been saying this from day one — that this was an extortion scheme and that DeAndre was the victim. This event did not play out as they insinuated, and the case was dismissed.
“DeAndre has been working out since the day of this event. He knew he was innocent of the crime. He’s been working out in case he gets signed by a team.”
Florida prosecutors said Baker’s alleged victims and other witnesses had become “uncooperative and their credibility is inalterably tarnished,” prompting the decision to drop charges.