

(Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)

A new investigation into the life of Adrian Peterson has revealed a man living an unseemly private life at odds with being charismatic face of the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson, the running back who is the face of the franchise, is on leave and will be arraigned Wednesday in connection with child-abuse charges. The arrest prompted the Minneapolis Star-Tribune to attempt to reconcile the two sides of his life in a detailed, investigative report. It uncovered allegations of money raised by his charity foundation never going to the intended recipients, as well as accusations that a relative used a foundation credit card to pay for hotel rooms for an orgy involving Peterson and a group of women. From the report:

As Peterson’s fame grew, the Vikings always tried to give Minnesota a star that fans could admire. The team highlighted Peterson’s many charity appearances, and he was known around Winter Park for greeting janitors with the same warmth and enthusiasm he extended to Zygi Wilf, the team’s owner. One source described the afternoon that Peterson suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury during a game but, while being carried off the field, he insisted on signing a jersey he had promised to a young fan before the game. In an interview with the Huffington Post last week, former Vikings punter Chris Kluwe called Peterson “one of the most down-to-earth superstars I have ever met.” Those images were juxtaposed with more jarring headlines. In one incident, Peterson was accused of resisting arrest during a scuffle at a Texas nightclub, though he was not charged. Back in Minnesota, he was cited in 2009 for driving 109 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. In the fall of 2011, by then one of the NFL’s greatest runners, Peterson signed a record-breaking contract, a seven-year agreement that could pay him as much as $100 million. Three months later, he was at the center of an incident in an Eden Prairie hotel room that resulted in an accusation of rape and triggered a lengthy police investigation.

The police report, which runs 38 pages, describes a night of drinking, arguing and sex that involved the running back, two relatives — including Peterson’s brother, a minor — and four women. Chris Brown, who is related to Peterson and lives with him in Minnesota, told police that he paid for the room using a company credit card for Peterson’s All Day, Inc.

The Star-Tribune investigation raises questions about Peterson’s All Day Foundation and its tax filings. The financial report in 2011 showed $247,064 in total revenue with just three recipient organizations listed. Another entry, labeled “clothing for needy families,” listed “unknown” for the number of recipients. The 2009 report indicates that $70,000 went to Straight From the Heart Ministries in Laurel, Md. However, the president of the organization told the Star-Tribune that it had received no money. The same went for a food bank in Dallas.

The story goes on to detail how Peterson’s career has gone into free-fall since his arrest for whipping his 4-year-old son until he was scratched on the arms, legs and genitals. His mother has come to his defense and Peterson said he was disciplining the child, but sponsors have distanced themselves from him. And the Vikings reportedly are preparing to move forward without him.