Photo Credit: Tony Tribble/Associated Press
After a year of recovering from a major injury, Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang is back in hot water. Kang is currently under investigation for sexual assault. A 23-year-old woman in Chicago is accusing the 29-year-old of sexually assaulting her while the team was in Chicago playing the Cubs. Kang is only a person of interest currently. No charges have been filed against Kang because the investigation is still ongoing and evidence is still being collected.
Some details have emerged about the incident from the women. After the two met on the dating app Bumble, Kung allegedly invited her to his hotel room. She came over and was given an alcoholic beverage prepared by Kang. The woman allegedly slipped in and out of consciousness for 15 to 20 minutes which is when Kang sexually assaulted her. She went to the hospital after the incident and was given a rape kit. The results of the rape kit have not been released to the public.
The Pirates organization has released a statement about the incident, “We take allegations of this type extremely seriously. As a result of the ongoing police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. We have also advised our staff and our players that they should not comment on the matter either.”
The spokesman for the Chicago police released their own statement about the case, “These are very serious allegations, and we want to ensure that the efficacy of our investigation matches the severity of the allegations.” The spokesman has refused to comment on who he has talked to, the results of the rape kit or how long he estimates the investigation will last.
It is unclear if the team will make Kang sit amidst the investigation, but it could be in the team’s best interest to have him sit. Regardless of what happens, hopefully it doesn’t turn into a Patrick Kane situation where no punishment is dealt and there are no answers or consequences.
