Collingwood star Jordan De Goey has pleaded guilty but will not be convicted of a criminal offence after an incident in New York.
AFL star Jordan De Goey will attend anger management and alcohol therapy sessions after pleading guilty to a harassment charge over an incident in New York last year.
The Collingwood player appeared in Manhattan’s Criminal Court via video link from Melbourne on Saturday, where he pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of harassment in the second degree — classified as a violation, not a criminal offence — and apologised for his behaviour.
“I would like to apologise for my actions and I appreciate the process going forward,” De Goey said when asked by the judge if he had anything to add.
He will need to attend 10 therapy sessions focusing on anger management and dealing with alcohol as part of his plea.
The 25-year-old was arrested in New York last October following an alleged altercation at the PHD Rooftop Lounge at the Dream Hotel in Manhattan.
De Goey had been taking a break from his US training schedule tied to commercial agreement with Monster Energy drinks when the incident occurred. He had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and harassment, while charges of forcible touching were dropped at a previous hearing.
Earlier this month Collingwood reinstated De Goey to its football program, having earlier stood the midfielder down.
Collingwood released a statement recently confirming that De Goey could return to training as of Friday January 21 because the matter had been “resolved”.
The club received written confirmation that De Goey’s charge had been downgraded to a harassment violation, and would not result in a criminal conviction.
“The Collingwood board has considered an agreement on a conclusion to the legal matter faced by Jordan De Goey in the US, which was reached late today,” the statement read.
“As a result of this in-principle resolution and based on further undertakings given by Jordan to the club, Collingwood has reinstated Jordan to its AFL program.
“The club remains of the view that it was appropriate to stand De Goey down until the various charges he faced were dealt with.
“With Jordan pleading guilty to a second degree harassment violation and agreeing to an order to commit to a corrective program in Australia, and all other charges dropped, the matter is resolved.
“A second degree harassment violation will not result in a criminal conviction.”
De Goey’s return came with two club-imposed terms he has agreed to — a commitment to ongoing support off-field from health professionals and permanent, part-time work with the Salvation Army.