Tampa Bay Lightning Suspend Ian Cole, Pending Investigation of Allegations
The Tampa Bay Lightning have suspended defenseman Ian Cole -- with pay, pending the results of an NHL-led investigation into the assault and grooming allegations which surfaced this afternoon:
Earlier, a Twitter account under the alias of Emily Smith released a lengthy statement, detailing how Ian Cole sexually abused and groomed her when she was a minor in high school.
Cole signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Bolts this summer after playing for the Carolina Hurricanes last season.
Reportedly, Cole had an affair with a local reported while he was there, so it appears as though his personal issues persist.
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