Paul Richardson: Police Asked If I Was a Drug Dealer, in a Gang During Stop

Washington Redskins wide receiver Paul Richardson tweeted Tuesday that a police officer in Virginia asked him improper questions during a traffic stop.

In the since-deleted tweets, he gave the following account of the stop (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk):

"Before asking my name he asked me if I was in a gang, then minutes later told me he thought I was a dealer (drugs). What a welcome to the east coast. Finished up with asking me how much car cost me. I've had this car 2 weeks and this amazing officer gave me a ticket for only having temporary registration. Mind you I have up to 2 months in Va before needing to register it AGAIN in Virginia."

After removing the messages, Richardson tweeted, "It's true, but tweeting about it wasn't the right way to deal."

Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Richardson's allegations are being investigated, per ESPN.com: "While no formal complaint has been filed, the Department is reviewing the matter, to include the trooper's in-car camera footage of the traffic stop, to determine if the traffic stop was handled in accordance with state police policy."

Geller also said that Richardson was stopped while driving his Mercedes SUV "because the vehicle did not have license plates displayed as required by Virginia law," and "for failing to have the vehicle properly registered."

According to Spotrac, Richardson signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Redskins this offseason.

The 26-year-old wideout spent the first four seasons of his career with the Seahawks after they selected him in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Colorado.

In 2017, he registered 44 receptions for 703 yards and six touchdowns, all of which were career highs.

The Los Angeles native is expected to be a key part of Washington's receiving corps in 2018 alongside Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson.