The Pasadena Police Department has presented the results of its investigation into sexual assault allegations made against Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, a police spokeswoman told reporters (including Steve Henson of the Los Angeles Times and Alden González of ESPN). The district attorney’s office will review the findings and determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
Pasadena police have been investigating the allegations against Bauer at least since the time they were made public in late June. It is unclear how long the DA’s office will take to decide whether to move forward with the case.
It’s worth keeping in mind that the criminal investigation is distinct from the alleged victim’s pursuit of a permanent restraining order against Bauer, which was denied by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge last week. The judge’s determination in that proceeding was that Bauer does not pose any continued threat to the accuser. Those proceedings were not to determine if Bauer should face any criminal culpability.
Bauer has been on paid administrative leave since July 2 while MLB conducts its own investigation. MLB and the MLB Players Association jointly agreed to extend that leave through September 3, Jon Heyman of the MLB Network first reported this morning. Under the terms of the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, MLB has the authority to impose discipline regardless of whether criminal charges are ultimately filed.
