AceShowbiz - Retired American football great Lawrence Taylor has been indicted on charges of rape following an incident involving a minor in May. The former New York Giants star, 51, was arrested on May 6 at a hotel in Montebello, New York amid allegations he paid a 16-year-old girl $300 for sex.

Taylor, who has denied the charges, was formally charged with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute and freed on $75,000 bail. But the shamed sportsman is now facing further legal problems - in addition to the two counts, a grand jury in Rockland County has indicted Taylor on charges of criminal sexual act, sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Taylor's agent, Mark Lepselter, is confident his client's name will be cleared once his lawyers present their argument to the court. Lepselter adds Taylor's attorneys "made a strategic decision to not put any of our evidence in front of the grand jury", instead choosing to wait to present their case "at the appropriate time". If convicted, Taylor faces up to four years in prison.

The troubled sportsman has a history of legal problems, including previous arrests for drug and alcohol abuse. He played for the Giants from 1981 to 1993 and is a member of the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He recently became a reality TV star in America when he appeared on "Dancing with the Stars".