Law enforcement official says NFL had Ray Rice video in April

WATCH: The NFL is still embroiled in the Ray Rice controversy after a report surfaced that an NFL executive was sent the shocking video in April

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) – A law enforcement official says he sent a video of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee to an NFL executive five months ago.

The person played The Associated Press a 12-second voicemail from an NFL office number on April 9 confirming the video arrived. A female voice expresses thanks and says: “You’re right. It’s terrible.”

READ MORE: Ray Rice case highlights NFL’s domestic abuse problem

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly said the league asked for but could not obtain the video of Rice hitting Janay Palmer, who is now his wife, at an Atlantic City casino in February.

WATCH: Video of Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancee (now wife) Janay Palmer inside an elevator in an Atlantic City casino in February (WARNING: Disturbing Content)

The league says it has no record of the video, and no one in the league office had seen it until it was released by TMZ Monday.

When asked about the voicemail Wednesday, NFL officials repeated their assertion that no league official had seen the video before Monday.