Antonio Brown accuser drops federal suit alleging rape, will refile, court docs say

The woman who filed a civil lawsuit against former Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown for alleged sexual assault has dropped the federal suit but will refile it in state court, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Brittney Taylor, a gymnast and Brown's former trainer, accused Brown of rape and sexual assault in a federal lawsuit filed last month in the Southern District of Florida. A new filing gives notice that Taylor has voluntarily dismissed the complaint without prejudice, but notes that the "matter will be filed and litigated in State Court in Broward County, Florida."

It's unclear why Taylor and her attorneys are moving the case to state court.

Brown has denied the allegations by his former trainer, which came to light just two days after he signed a two-year contract with the Patriots. He was released after playing in just one game after a Sports Illustrated report revealed that he sent a second woman intimidating text messages after she accused him of sexual misconduct.

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