Former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has been involved in a domestic abuse case since November 2021 in which he and his ex-girlfriend had claimed to be the victim. On Thursday, the case added a major new wrinkle.
According to a court filing obtained by The Star Tribune, Cook offered sums of both $800,000 and $1 million to his ex-girlfriend, Gracelyn Trimble, to bar testimony at his trial and have her send a letter to the NFL absolving Cook of any wrongdoing.
The story, written by Rochelle Olson, was based upon filings in the case in Dakota County Court.
The revelation came in a now-sealed filing by Gracelyn Trimble’s attorney. The document was filed in opposition to Cook’s request to bar testimony at trial of his cash settlement offers of $800,000 and then $1 million.
Cook’s initial offer of $800,000 came with a requirement that Trimble sign a sworn affidavit denying abuse claims, the document said. But Trimble has already testified under oath that Cook physically abused her. The $1 million offer required Trimble to send a letter — not sworn testimony — to the NFL absolving Cook of wrongdoing.
The initial offer of $800,000 was made in May at a deposition with the offer for $1 million coming hours later, per Olson’s report.
Shortly after The Star Tribune acquired the court filing, it was sealed by Dakota County Judge Jamie Cork, who will oversee the trial sometime next year.
With Cook trying to find a new team to play for, the pending court case will make his search that much more difficult.
