The Buffalo News is reporting Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane and his alleged rape victim (and two others) were driven around by Buffalo police lieutenant Thomas English the night of his alleged crime.
Law enforcement sources told The News that Buffalo police are conducting an internal investigation to determine whether English was with Kane at any time he was supposed to be on duty the night of the alleged rape. Authorities said English was scheduled to work a half-shift that night at the police cell block and took a half-shift off on that night as personal leave time. English said he took the entire shift off with personal leave time.
The same story reports that English is a longtime friend of Kane, and has worked for him as a driver for over five years with all the proper paperwork being completed for that position. He disputed to investigators the claims made against Kane.
English said he was with Kane and Thomas Cowan, a Buffalo restaurateur, the entire time they were at SkyBar and witnessed no inappropriate behavior there or on the drive to Kane’s home.
“It was a mutual agreement to go hang out at the house,” English said.
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English disputed the accounts of three sources – a friend of the alleged victim, a law enforcement source and a source in the legal community – who told The News that the alleged rape victim went to Kane’s home because of her friend’s urging.
According to English, it was the other way around. The alleged victim urged her female friend to go with them to Kane’s home, said English, who identified the accuser by name.
Asked if Kane previously knew the young woman, English said: “Not that I’m aware of, but I just don’t know.
No charges have been filed against Kane. EA Sports recently announced they’re distancing themselves from Kane, as they’ve removed him from the cover of the upcoming video game.