The Buffalo Bills have signed a new punter after releasing Matt Araiza last week in the wake of allegations that he participated in the gang rape of a minor.Sam Martin has joined the Bills on a one-year deal after playing with the Broncos for the previous two seasons.lawsuit filed in San Diego County Superior Court on August 25 accuses Araiza, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin 'Pa'a' Ewaliko of gang raping a then-17-year-old girl at a Halloween party

The plaintiff is now 18 but is identified in the complaint as 'Jane Doe' because she was underage at the time. 

Bills' GM Brandon Beane said at a press conference after Araiza was released that the team was unaware of any allegations regarding Araiza before selecting him in this year's draft.

'We sympathize with this whole situation, all the parties involved, this young woman and what she went through,' Beane said. 'Ultimately this is a legal situation, we don't know all the facts. That's what makes it hard.

But at this time we just think it's the best move from everyone to move on from Matt and let him take care of this situation and focus on that. We're going to part ways there.

'It's a very serious situation, a serious nature and allegations. We don't have the means to put the facts together. We are trying to do the best we could, be thoughtful and not rush to judgement.

'How transparent was Matt? Matt gave us his version of events, that is where it's at. There were many things we could not get our hands on through the resources we have.'

For his part, Araiza released a statement denying the allegations.

'The facts of the incident are not what they are portrayed in the lawsuit or in the press,' he said last week as he was held out of a preseason game.

'I look forward to quickly setting the record straight.'

Araiza's parents also released a lengthy statement defending their son. 

As reported by KUSI-TV, the statement reads: 'The rule of law is innocent until proven guilty. That is not our experience. There has been a war waged against our son.He has been tried and convicted in the media based on information released solely from the alleged victim and her attorney, much of it through social media. People have taken his information as factual, when it is not.'

He has been extorted, discriminated against, harassed and the subject of multiple and continuous threats of violence and death,' the statement continues. 'He has been released from his job and our entire family continues to receive horrific threats of violence and death. We have all been canceled. Every member of our family.' 

The statement ends by speaking about 'salacious rumors growing as fact', before adding: 'There are multiple witness reports to deny the claims that are made against him. The legal system is designed to find the facts and make decisions. They should be allowed to do that.'