Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane Subject Of Police Investigation In New York
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Blackhawks star Patrick Kane is the subject of a police investigation in Hamburg, New York.
The CBS affiliate in Buffalo (WIVB-TV) is reporting the investigation concerns a rape allegation made by a Buffalo woman against Kane over the weekend. CBS 2 has not been able in independently confirm the information.
The Buffalo News first reported that Hamburg police had opened up a probe on Kane but forbid officers from publicly discussing the investigation. It's unclear if police have questioned Kane, who has a home in Hamburg.
The newspaper, citing sources, later reported that a woman has accused Kane of sexual assault. Law enforcement sources told the paper that the woman went to a hospital and tests using a rape kit were performed.
Kane has not been charged.
According to various social media accounts, Kane was spotted at several clubs and bars over the weekend. Coincidentally, Paula Cambria, the wife of Kane's defense attorney, posted on Facebook that she saw Kane at a club called SkyBar on Saturday. She did not post a photograph of him on her Facebook page.
Paul J. Cambria Jr. represented the NHL star following a 2009 altercation between Kane and a cab driver in Buffalo.
Details on where and precisely when the alleged assault occurred were not immediately available.
An NHL spokesman said the league is aware of a police investigation involving Kane and is monitoring developments.
Blackhawks spokesman Adam Rogowin added in an email: "We are aware of the matter and are in the process of gathering information. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." Kane's agent likely declined comment.
The Blackhawks weren't made aware of the issue at hand until Wednesday and were having trouble contacting Kane to get details, 670 The Score's Dan Bernstein reported Thursday afternoon.
Police officers entered Kane's home Sunday with flashlights, the Chicago Tribune reported. Buffalo News crime reporter Lou Michel said police in Hamburg have been "extremely tight-lipped" about the investigation.
"They want to do a fair investigation," he said. "In fact, they won't even confirm that it is an investigation of Patrick Kane."
Cambria Jr. told CBS 2's Pam Zekman that he doesn't comment on work involving his client.
Kane, 26, is a native of Buffalo, and he was arrested there in 2009 for allegedly assaulting a cab driver. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
In May of 2012, photos surfaced of Kane binge drinking at the University of Wisconsin.
Kane's been in the spotlight since Chicago selected him with the first overall pick in the 2007 draft. Since then, he's been part of a Blackhawks core that has led the team to three Stanley Cups in the past six seasons. He had 64 points (27 goals, 37 assists) in 61 regular-season games in 2014-'15 and recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 23 postseason games.
Kane signed an eight-year, $84-million in the summer of 2014. The deal kicks in at the start of the upcoming 2015-'16 season.
This is developing, so check back for more details later.
