Thursday, August 27, 1998

Woman accuses Cowboys' Larry Allen of sexual assault; timing questionable?

By CHRISTY LEMIRE Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) - Police are investigating a topless dancer's accusation that Cowboys offensive lineman Larry Allen forced her into having sex with him by threatening her with a knife.

Sgt. Jim Chandler said no arrests have been made and no charges filed.

"I think the investigation is progressing, but it's too early to say what the conclusion will be," Chandler said today.

Allen is the fourth member of the Cowboys to be accused by women of being involved in a sexual attack in less than two years, but no charges ever were filed against the other players.

Although Allen is not identified in the police report, The Dallas Morning News reported today that the 26-year-old All-Pro lineman was named on a search warrant affidavit.

Neither Allen nor Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could be reached for for comment. Both were in Jacksonville for an exhibition game tonight against the Jaguars.

"We will see how it proceeds, let the matter take its full course and then make a decision on commenting," spokesman Doug Hood said.

Last summer, a Dallas County grand jury declined to indict Nate Newton after a Grand Prairie woman told police he raped her. In December 1996, a former topless dancer told police that wide receiver Michael Irvin threatened her with a gun while lineman Erik Williams and another man raped her. The accuser, Nina Shahravan, later recanted and pleaded guilty to perjury.

An immigration judge deciding whether to deport Shahravan to her native Iran said Wednesday he will ask a federal magistrate to issue subpoenas for Irvin and Williams after they failed to appear at a hearing Wednesday. Failure to respond to the subpoenas could lead to criminal contempt charges.

In Allen's case, a 36-year-old dancer filed an affidavit saying Allen entered the Kings Cabaret club where she works around 4:10 p.m. Monday.

Hood said Allen was at practice Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The team's training facility is about 16 miles and nearly a half-hour drive from the club.

The woman told police that Allen ordered drinks and a table dance from her, then said he needed to talk to her so they went outside, got into his car and drove behind the club.

She said Allen put his hand on a knife that was in the car's console and forced her to perform oral sex. The woman, who told police she feared for her life, said she then had intercourse with Allen.

The affidavit states that Allen dropped the woman off at the front door of the club and she finished her work shift. She then drove to her aunt's house, where she called the police.

A police report states the woman made her complaint at 7:40 p.m., then went to a hospital for an examination.

On Tuesday, police obtained a warrant to search Allen's black 1998 Mercedes. It was retrieved from his home in suburban Coppell and searched at the Coppell Police Department.