The NFL has suspended Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Greg Hardy for 10 games after investigating his involvement in a May 2014 domestic violence incident. Hardy was found guilty of assault by a judge in July 2014, but charges against him were ultimately dismissed when he exercised his right to appeal via a jury trial, and alleged victim Nicole Holder declined to cooperate with prosecutors. (Holder reportedly received money from Hardy in a civil settlement.) From ESPN:
“The NFL’s investigation concluded that Hardy violated the Personal Conduct Policy by using physical force against Nicole Holder in at least four instances,” the league said in its statement, and also noted Hardy’s suspension would be “appropriate under any version of the Personal Conduct Policy or its predecessors.”
Hardy played only one game during the 2014-2015 season as his case proceded.
Having faced heavy criticism of its slapdash investigation into the Ray Rice domestic violence case, the NFL announced in March that it was adding a former top prosecutor and a former ATF director to its disciplinary staff. That former prosecutor, Lisa Friel, reportedly led the investigation of Hardy.
