Dascha Polanco stars as Litchfield Penitentiary prisoner Dayanara Diaz on 'Orange is the New Black.' (Photo : YouTube/Netflix USA Canada)
Charges against "Orange Is The New Black" star Dascha Polanco, 33, for allegedly punching a teen have been dropped. Polanco's legal representatives have worked out a deal with prosecutors claiming their client was being harassed.
Polanco was accused of punching a young girl in the head. In order to drop charges, a deal was struck
with prosecutors according to Page Six. Following the alleged assault, Polanco was charged with four counts of harassment and assault. The charges were brought against the actress by Michelle Cardona, 17, in July 2015.
According to the publication, charges were dropped following a complete investigation. The investigation included an interview with Cardona as well. Christopher Dey, Assistant District Attorney told the publication the victim suffered only " superficial abrasions and bruising."
Meanwhile, it was also reported that this was the first offense committed by the Dominican American
actress. According to reports Polanco had allegedly invited Cardona to her apartment situate at Washington Heights.
Polanco's lawyers claim evidence was presented to the District Attorney's office which demonstrated
that the charges brought against their client were false. The star's legal team maintained that their client was being framed for a legal harassment case.
"From the start, Ms. Polanco has denied the allegations and we have said that the charges should be dismissed," Attorney Gerald B. Lefcourt said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Lefcourt added that his
legal team was pleased that the District Attorney's Office decided to dismiss the case after examining the
evidence.
Polanco's legal team claimed Cardona had set her up. Her team alleged Cardona set a plan to have Polanco pay to have charges against her withdrawn. Furthermore, it was also alleged that Cardona
directed a campaign of harassment aimed at Polanco and her family.
Lefcourt said in the statement the team had "irrefutable evidence of the complainant's misdeeds on tape, including her attempts at extortion."
The decision comes at a crucial time for the star whose latest season of "Orange Is The New Black" premieres on Netflix in June this year. Polanco stars as Dayanara Diaz on the hit series. She portrays a
Litchfield Penitentiary prisoner.
Watch the trailer for the series below :
