Cops Clear Larry Allen Of Charges

Police on Monday cleared Dallas Cowboys All-Pro offensive lineman Larry Allen of a topless dancer's sexual assault accusation.

"We have concluded our week-long investigation and found there is insufficient evidence to file charges against the suspect," Dallas police spokesman Sgt. Jim Chandler said. "The case will not be referred to the grand jury and has been cleared."

The 37-year-old woman said last week that Allen forced her to have sex at knifepoint Aug. 24 in the parking lot of Kings' Cabaret dance club.

Asked if charges would be filed against her, Chandler answered: "There are no charges against either party."

Team owner Jerry Jones, who has had to deal with this type of accusation against other players before, said last week nobody should jump to any conclusions.

"It's really not appropriate for anyone to make a comment or a judgment, at this time," said Jones. "It's more appropriate to make any comments when all the facts have been examined."

Jerry Banks, Allen's lawyer, said he is satisfied with the investigation.

"He will now focus on his priorities, his family and the Cowboys," Banks said.

Allen is the fourth Cowboy in less than two years to be accused by a woman of sexual assault. No charges were filed in any of the cases.

Last summer, a Dallas County grand jury declined to indict Nate Newton after a Grand Prairie woman told police he raped her. In December 1996, a former topless dancer told police that wide receiver Michael Irvin threatened her with a gun while lineman Erik Williams and another man raped her. The accuser, Nina Shahravan, later recanted and pleaded guilty to perjury.

Allen never denied he was in the club but had a different story for police than the one presented, saying the sex was consensual.

The accuser told police Allen ordered drinks and a table dance from her, then said he needed to talk to her so they went outside, got into his car and drove behind te club.

She said Allen put his hand on a knife that was in the car's console and forced her to have sex.

Her affidavit said Allen dropped the woman off at the front door of the club and she finished her work shift. She then drove to her aunt's house, where she called the police at 7:40 p.m. and then went to a hospital for an examination.

Last Tuesday police obtained a warrant to search Allen's black 1998 Mercedes in suburban Coppell.

The 6-foot-3, 326-pound Allen, who played in the last two Pro Bowls, became the highest-paid lineman in the NFL in January when he signed a six-year contract worth $24 million, a total since surpassed by the $26.6 million deal signed by San Diego's John Jackson.

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