Peterson’s lawyer addresses charity allegations
Adrian Peterson’s lawyer defended his client Tuesday. (USATSI)
When the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported Monday that Adrian Peterson‘s foundation had filed contradictory financial records and that a Peterson relative had admitted to using a foundation credit card to pay for a hotel room that was used for an alleged sex party in 2011, the Vikingsstar running back and his attorney declined to comment.
A day later, Rusty Hardin, Peterson’s lawyer, spoke up and defended his client, who remains away from the team while he deals with an indictment of abusing his 4-year-old son.
Here’s the statement he made to PFT:
“Adrian did not have a foundation credit card and did not use the foundation’s funds for personal expenses. There is no question that prior to 2011, issues existed with the administration of Adrian’s foundation. When this was brought to his attention, Adrian made changes to the organization and brought in new leadership.
“Since that time, Adrian and his foundation have given more than $1.4 million to many worthy causes, including many to organizations that benefit children. Importantly, Adrian has seen fit to contribute over $1 million of his own funds to this charitable work. Adrian and his family are understandably proud of the foundation and the good work that it has done and continues to do.
“We are in the unfortunate position that today, like so many other days, there are more stories about Adrian, fueled by nothing more than his fame. Given the multitude of allegations that inevitably flow against a public figure, we will no longer try to respond to each and every new unfounded charge. We will simply hold our comments for the trial that Adrian is entitled to in a forum that has rules and requirements of proof.”
On Monday, Bruce Richman, who runs the All Day Foundation now, told PFT that some of the financial contradictions were due to innocent mistakes made on paperwork.
“There’s no real story since 2011,” Richman said. “Because we’ve cleaned everything up.”
Richman also said the Star Tribune hadn’t called for comment before the story ran.
“I wish they’d have given us a call and given us a chance to clear up some of these misconceptions,” Richman said.
It’s SAD how people these days will believe anything reported by media sources that don’t take the time to be GREAT!!!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) October 7, 2014
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