Former Minnesota Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook offered $1 million to a former girlfriend to clear him of wrongdoing despite her previously sworn abuse allegations against him, according to a document filed in Dakota County District Court.
The revelation came in a now-sealed filing by Gracelyn Trimble's attorney. The document was filed in opposition to Cook's request to bar testimony at trial of his cash settlement offers of $800,000 and then $1 million.
Cook's initial offer of $800,000 came with a requirement that Trimble sign a sworn affidavit denying abuse claims, the document said. But Trimble has already testified under oath that Cook physically abused her. The $1 million offer required Trimble to send a letter — not sworn testimony — to the NFL absolving Cook of wrongdoing.
Attorney Daniel Cragg wrote that Cook's initial cash offer was "not only evidence of a crime" but admissible at trial to show he tried to coax Trimble to perjure herself by changing her sworn testimony.
"This does not pass the smell test, and can and should be admissible as evidence of Cook's consciousness of guilt," Cragg's filing read. The Star Tribune obtained a copy of the document Thursday, hours before it was sealed by Dakota County Judge Jamie Cork.
Trimble's personal injury lawsuit against Cook is set for trial in front of Cork next year. A hearing on the recent filing is set for Monday. Lawyers for Cook and Trimble did not comment.
Cook, who was released by the Vikings in June after six seasons, remains a free agent. In November 2021, Trimble filed a lawsuit against Cook alleging physical and emotional abuse. He then filed a defamation lawsuit against her in Hennepin County. Both cases are pending.
In a deposition, Cook said he was aware his lawyers had initially offered Trimble $800,000 in May to provide a sworn affidavit exonerating him of wrongdoing, the filing said.
