Antonio Brown accused of raping former trainer

Warning: Story contains sensitive material

New England Patriots receiver Antonio Brown has been accused of raping his former trainer, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, reports Ben Shpigel of The New York Times.

The lawsuit states Brown sexually assaulted the woman, Britney Taylor, on three separate occasions.

Taylor alleges two assaults occurred in June 2017. Brown first exposed himself and kissed her without permission, according to the lawsuit, before masturbating behind her and ejaculating on her back later that month. He allegedly continued to brag about the second incident in text messages, which were included in the lawsuit filing.

The lawsuit states the two ended their working relationship following those incidents. Brown attempted to apologize several months later and though she refused at first, Taylor was eventually "swayed by his assurance that he would cease any sexual advances," according to the lawsuit.

The third incident described in the filing occurred in May 2018, when Taylor alleges the 31-year-old Brown "forcibly" raped her.

"As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been an incredibly difficult decision," Taylor said in a statement. "I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault."

The lawsuit also included a series of emails and text messages Brown allegedly sent Taylor detailing the incidents:

The star wideout's lawyer, Darren Heitner, released a statement shortly after details of the lawsuit were made public Tuesday evening.

"Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit. He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name, but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations," the statement read.

Heiner wrote in the statement that "any sexual interaction" between the two "was entirely consensual," adding Taylor maintained communication throughout 2018, including asking for Pittsburgh Steelers tickets.

Heitner also claimed Taylor asked Brown to invest $1.6 million in a business project in 2017 but did not divulge that she'd been given a $30,000 IRS tax lien and that part of the investment was to be used to purchase property she allegedly already owned.

Brown will "aggressively defend himself" against the allegations outlined in the lawsuit, including by "exercising all of his rights in countersuits," Heitner wrote in a tweet.

The Patriots signed Brown on Saturday after weeks of drama culminated in his release from the Oakland Raiders, who acquired him in an offseason trade with the Steelers.

"We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier today against Antonio Brown, as well as the response by Antonio's representatives," the Patriots wrote in a brief statement Tuesday evening. "We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstance does this organization condone sexual violence or assault.

"The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place."