A woman who filed a lawsuit against former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer for sexual assault and battery, Darcy Adanna Esemonu, is now facing criminal fraud charges. In an indictment in Maricopa County, Arizona, Esemonu is accused of engaging in fraudulent schemes against Bauer and another individual. The charges include obtaining benefits through fraudulent means and theft by extortion. Bauer alleged that Esemonu demanded $1.6 million from him, claiming she was pregnant and needed the money for an abortion. Bauer’s attorney stated that he paid Esemonu around $10,000 for medical expenses related to the supposed pregnancy, but Esemonu was not actually pregnant at the time.
Bauer, a Cy Young Award winner, has been embroiled in controversy since June 2021, when a different woman accused him of sexual assault. Although he has not faced criminal charges, he was suspended by Major League Baseball in 2022 for violating their policy on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Bauer was reinstated by the league in December 2022 but was subsequently cut from the Dodgers in January 2023. Esemonu filed a civil lawsuit against Bauer in June 2023, alleging multiple instances of assault, including a sexual assault in December 2020. She claimed to have become pregnant and later miscarried after Bauer told her he would not continue the relationship if she kept the baby. Bauer countered Esemonu’s claims with a lawsuit of his own, accusing her of fraud and extortion.
Bauer released a video statement on YouTube denying any nonconsensual contact with Esemonu and referring to her as a fraudster. He asserted that allegations against him were false and an attempt to extort money from him. Bauer stated that there were no ongoing investigations or outstanding lawsuits against him aside from Esemonu’s indictment. The first accusation of sexual assault against Bauer came from Lindsey Hill in 2021, but prosecutors declined to file charges. Bauer filed a defamation lawsuit against Hill in 2022, which was settled out of court without any monetary exchange. Bauer’s legal battles have cast a shadow over his professional baseball career, as he has not played since June 2021.
The situation surrounding Bauer and Esemonu is complex, with multiple legal actions underway. Esemonu is facing criminal fraud charges for allegedly deceiving Bauer and another person, while Bauer continues to defend himself against accusations of sexual assault. The legal battles have impacted Bauer’s career, leading to his suspension by Major League Baseball and subsequent release from the Dodgers. Despite these challenges, Bauer maintains his innocence and vows to defend himself against the allegations. The outcome of these legal proceedings will determine the future implications for both Bauer and Esemonu. The complex nature of the case underscores the importance of proper legal processes in addressing allegations of assault and fraud.
