Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson has been charged with the violent beating of his ex-roommate Clavens Charles.

Last week in Texas, Charles and the locked out football player got into an argument that escalated into a physical altercation. Benson allegedly punched Charles in the face several times, “resulting in severe injury to his face.”

A statement released by Benson’s attorney charges that Charles is using the incident to extort their client, claiming that the NFL running back was provoked.

Charles’ attorneys deny those claims saying the beating Charles took at the hands of Benson was “an unprovoked, violent assault.”

Charles’ camp reports thousands of dollars in medical bills because of his injuries. Benson had been charged with misdemeanor assault