Restraining order against Moss dropped

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss (81) smiles as he answers a reporter's question during a media availability at the team's hotel prior to Super Bowl XLII in this Jan. 30, 2008 file photo. A woman who obtained a restraining order earlier this year against the Patriots star has requested that the order be dissolved and the case dismissed. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)

MIAMI—A woman who obtained a restraining order earlier this year in a domestic violence case against New England Patriots star Randy Moss wants the case dismissed, court records show.

Rachelle Washington, 35, filed papers March 3 with the Broward County Circuit Court clerk's office requesting that the order be dissolved and the case closed. The restraining order had required the All-Pro wide receiver to stay at least 500 feet from Washington.

Moss, 31, denied he harmed Washington as she claimed at her Florida home on Jan. 6, or that he prevented her from seeking medical attention. Moss did acknowledge there was an "accident" involving Washington, but would not be more specific.

Moss attorney Richard Sharpstein said Tuesday his client was "extremely pleased" by the outcome. Moss plans to submit a claim to his insurance company for medical bills for services such as X-rays that Washington had for a hand injury, Sharpstein added.

"There has finally been acknowledgment that the injuries were not intentionally inflicted," Sharpstein said.

An attorney for Washington said "no such acknowledgment exists."

Washington had been acting "solely on the advice of her former attorney" when she filed temporary restraining orders, Darrell Thompson said in a statement.

"She has decided that such restraining order is unnecessary," Thompson said. "Because the injuries sustained were not the result of any malicious intent by Mr. Moss, a claim for her damages will be submitted to his insurance company."

The restraining order was issued Jan. 14 after Washington accused Moss of "battery causing serious injury" in a civil domestic violence case. It came just as the Patriots were making their playoff run to the Super Bowl and angling for an undefeated season, which ended in a loss to the New York Giants.

Days before the AFC championship game, Moss said the claims were "false allegations" and that Washington had demanded a payment of "six figures" before taking legal action. He acknowledged knowing the woman for about 11 years.

"In my whole entire life of living 30 years, I've never put a hand on one woman, physically or in an angry manner," Moss told reporters in mid-January.

Moss has had other off-the-field problems in his 10 years in the NFL, including a 2002 incident in which he bumped a traffic control officer with his car and another in 2001 when he verbally abused corporate sponsors on a team bus. But since his acquisition by the Patriots last April, he has been viewed as a team leader.

He had another stellar year on the field in 2007, catching 98 passes for 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns. For his career, Moss has 774 receptions for 12,193 yards and 124 touchdowns.