Ex-Uber Driver Pleads Not Guilty To Rape Charges

DORCHESTER, Mass. (AP) — Authorities say an Uber driver has been charged with raping a woman in the Boston area, and the ride-hailing company says the man no longer works as an Uber driver.

Thirty-two-year-old Michael Vedrine, of Brockton, pleaded not guilty Friday in Dorchester Municipal Court to charges of rape and indecent sexual assault.

Police say he picked up the woman after she called for a ride to her home Wednesday, drove her to another location and assaulted her. WBZ-TV reports court documents say Vedrine allegedly said he and the woman had consensual sex.

Uber spokesperson Kayla Whaling told the television station that the San Francisco-based company has "permanently removed this driver from accessing the Uber platform."

Vedrine was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Oct. 13.