Hornets address Jeffery Taylor investigation Monday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets officials spoke for the first time Monday about their decision to suspend Jeff Taylor because of domestic violence charges.

Read more: Hornets' Taylor banned from team activities

This is now the second professional athlete from Charlotte that's been banned from team activities.

The Hornets didn't give any new information about Taylor's domestic violence arrest, but WSOCTV knows he won't be allowed to participate in any team activities until both the criminal and NBA investigation is complete.

Hornets General Manager Rich Cho was the first to answer questions about Taylor's arrest. He said the Hornets take domestic violence seriously, and suspending Taylor felt like the right thing to do.

"We felt as an organization, it was appropriate to act decisively and swiftly, and that's what we decided to do," said Cho.

Taylor was accused of assaulting his girlfriend and a hotel employee at a Marriott hotel in East Lansing. Michigan.

Taylor caused between $200 and $1,000 in damage to the hotel, according to a police report, but it doesn't detail what happened.

The team's general manager wouldn't, either.

"I've spoken to Jeff, but I'd like to keep our conversations between Jeff and I private," said Cho.

Taylor was suspended Friday -- the day after his arrest.

As part of his suspension, he'll still be getting paid.

Taylor's arrest comes days before he was supposed to start training camp with the Hornets and in the midst of national debate over domestic violence among professional football players, including Panther's Greg Hardy.

The general manager said while the Hornets are cooperating with both the criminal and NBA investigation, Taylor is afforded his due process.

While Cho said Taylor's arrest is disappointing, he said he doesn't think it will impact the team on the court.

"We do have a lot of depth at the wing position, and Coach (Steve) Clifford and his staff do a great job, so we're still expecting to have a good season."

Team captain Al Jefferson agrees.

"We just have to do what any other team would do. When one guy goes down, we pull together and continue fighting," said Jefferson.