Giants All-Star Sandoval Investigated for Aptos Sexual Assault

A woman reported she was sexually assaulted by Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval at the Seascape Resort early Friday morning, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

No charges have been filed, according to sheriff's deputy April Skalland.

"On Friday, June 1, 2012 at approximately 4:45 a.m. a complaint of sexual assault was received by the Sheriff's Office," Lt. Fred Plageman wrote in a press release. "The victim met with a small group of people in downtown Santa Cruz on Thursday night and went to a resort with them in Aptos, California where the incident was alleged to have occurred. Pablo Sandoval, age 25, San Francisco, California, was the suspect named in the complaint."

Deputies questioned Sandoval at the resort and let him go, filing no charges.The sheriff's press release said that Sandoval cooperated in the investigation and that the investigation would be referred to the District Attorney.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Sandoval's attorney confirmed that Sandoval had relations with the woman.

"On Friday, June 1, Pablo Sandoval voluntarily met with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department related to a consensual, personal relationship of a sexual nature that took place on that day," Sandoval's attorney Eric Geffon said in statement.

The Chronicle, quoting CSN Bay Area, also reported that the woman was treated at a local hospital and was too intoxicated to have consented to sex.

 The Associated Press reported speaking with Sandoval briefly Saturday.

"He made a statement. I cannot talk about those things," Sandoval said, referring to his attorney when the third baseman was reached by phone. "I'm just concentrating on my game and getting back to the team right now."

Sandoval, nicknamed "Kung Fu Panda," is on the disabled list and is a favorite of Giants fans.

According to the Associated Press, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said before Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs that Sandoval was in Stockton play as the desingated hitter in for Class-A San Jose, his first rehab game. He could be back in the Giants lineup as soon as Friday if his injured hand heals well.

Sandoval, who was a first-time All-Star in 2011, signed a $17.5 million, three-year contract over the winter.