Florida Today is reporting Thursday that soon-to-be former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Chris Rainey pled no contest to disorderly conduct charges to settle his case from an early January arrest involving a dispute with his girlfriend.
The report also states that Judge Walter Green withheld adjudication on Rainey, fined him $200 and imposed court costs of about $300.
The battery charges were reduced to disorderly conduct because neutral witnesses, according to Gainesville State Attorney Bill Cervone, were contradictory as to whether or not battery actually happened, and also because the alleged victim denied being battered during the January 10 altercation in Gainesville.
According to the initial police report that was released following the incident, officers were called to an apartment complex regarding an argument between a Rainey and his girlfriend that had turned physical. Witnesses said Rainey and the female accuser were arguing over Rainey\’s cellphone and that Rainey pulled the woman out of a vehicle and slapped her in the face with an open hand.
The Steelers wasted no time in making a decision on their 2012 fifth round draft pick out of Florida as they announced in a statement later that day that Rainey would be released.
The Steelers can’t actually waive Rainey until after the Super Bowl, but general manager Kevin Colbert has said in interviews since the decision was made that they would not be going back on it.
