Report: Patrick Kane likely to avoid criminal charges in rape investigation

Patrick Kane, the subject of a months-long rape investigation, is unlikely to face criminal charges, according to The Buffalo News, which cited three sources close to the investigation.

The News reported Saturday on its website that "doubts have emerged about the woman's allegations" against the Chicago Blackhawks star. The three sources do not believe the case will reach a grand jury, according to the report.

“This case is going nowhere,” one source told The News.

“I was told ... the case will be administratively dismissed," a second source told The News.

Paul Cambria, Kane's attorney, told Paste BN Sports he will have no comment until he gets official word from authorities in the matter.

Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita did not address specifics of the case to The News.

“I am waiting for the investigation to be completed to my satisfaction,” Sedita said, “and to confer with the assigned prosecutor, who is on her vacation six time zones away, before announcing anything further.”

Roland M. Cercone, the attorney for the alleged victim, did not return a call from The News.

Kane met the accuser at a Buffalo bar Aug. 2, and the two went back to his home in Hamburg, a suburb of Buffalo, where she alleged that Kane assaulted her. Kane has not been suspended by the NHL. Police have not released any statements from Kane or the accuser.

The case took a bizarre twist when a ripped-open evidence bag allegedly was found at the door of the accuser's mother. It prompted the accuser's former attorney, Thomas Eonnaou, to withdraw Sept. 24 because he did not have confidence in how it came into the mother's possession.

"I received the story line from the mother. And it's my position that I'm not comfortable with that version of the events," Eoannou said.

Kane has six goals and 14 points this season.

Contributing: Erik Brady