NFL Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger Accused of Sex Assault

[TheSarge]

RENO, Nev. —  A woman has filed a lawsuit accusing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of raping her last summer in his penthouse hotel room at a casino in Lake Tahoe during a celebrity golf tournament.

Roethlisberger's lawyer adamantly denied the allegations Tuesday, and was quick to point out that the woman never went to the authorities.

"Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone. The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct," David Cornwell said in a statement. "If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated."

Cornwell did not immediately reply to a phone message and e-mail seeking more comment.

The suit seeks at least $440,000 in damages from the quarterback and also alleges hotel officials for Harrah's Lake Tahoe went to great lengths to cover up the incident. She's seeking $50,000 in damages from the Harrah's officials.

The woman's lawsuit says she didn't file a criminal complaint because she feared Harrah's would side with Roethlisberger and she would be fired.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534264,00.html?test=latestnews

[mamacags]

I don't believe it.  I will never believe or back anyone who goes after money if they were actually raped. 

[formerlurker]

I read the complaint, it actually sounds plausible. 

[Airwolf]

Whats important is what is the truth and will it be jail time

[seabelle]

She should have gone to the authorities immediately.  Last summer?  A mental health history?  Even if it was consensual, she would have had a better chance of proving....something, right?

I'm getting an icky Duke LAX feeling about this.

[Chris_]

She should have gone to the authorities immediately.  Last summer?  A mental health history?  Even if it was consensual, she would have had a better chance of proving....something, right?

I'm getting an icky Duke LAX feeling about this.

Duke Lacrosse, Kobe Bryant, the list goes on and on...

[NHSparky]

Sorry, lurker, but reporting it to hotel security and "they covered it up"?  No report to the police?  No rape kit?  No record of any kind of counseling of any kind between then and now?

[Celtic Rose]

A year after it happened there will be no evidence to prove the issue either way, unless the hotel cameras were lucky enough to catch something on tape.  The fact that she wants $500,000 in damages makes me very suspicious, especially considering that there doesn't seem to be any physical evidence to support her claim.  I hate to doubt a woman who makes such a serious accusation, but "he said/she said" cases are nasty, no matter what the court decides in the end, there will always be some who believe that he is guilty.

[formerlurker]

Sorry, lurker, but reporting it to hotel security and "they covered it up"?  No report to the police?  No rape kit?  No record of any kind of counseling of any kind between then and now?

She is not a stripper or waitress -- she was an Executive who was working as a concierge for the VIP floor.   I am not prepared to readily dismiss her based on articles written about the complaint.   

Read the complaint:

http://static.cbslocal.com/station/kdka/Civil_Complaint_Vs_Roethlisberger.pdf

I was very skeptical when I read the article, but changed my mind a bit when I read the complaint.   There is something to this. 

 

[NHSparky]

She is not a stripper or waitress -- she was an Executive who was working as a concierge for the VIP floor.   I am not prepared to readily dismiss her based on articles written about the complaint.   

Read the complaint:

http://static.cbslocal.com/station/kdka/Civil_Complaint_Vs_Roethlisberger.pdf

I was very skeptical when I read the article, but changed my mind a bit when I read the complaint.   There is something to this. 

 

Sorry, I'm not buying it.  She was "assaulted and battered" by a 240-lb man, but there were no physical marks?  No DNA on any of her clothing?  NOTHING?

And sorry, having been to Vegas a number of times, even if you have a "personal" Casino Host, just because your television doesn't work means THEY are going to go in and fix it.  That's what they have Maintenance Services for, and that's who should have been used/called.

Next, Hyder (Chief of Security) told her she should consider herself "lucky" to have had sex with Roethlisberger?  And she never reported this to HR?  And that she "suspects"?  But has no evidence of it?

Then she claims Harrah's employees are tampering with her laptop?  Has she turned it over to the DA or Reno Police for investigation?

The HR personnel said that if a hotel employee were assaulted by a guest they (Harrah's) would HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT IT?  Are you kidding me?

All of this, and no criminal charges, only civil?

I smell a rat.

[formerlurker]

Sorry, I'm not buying it.  She was "assaulted and battered" by a 240-lb man, but there were no physical marks?  No DNA on any of her clothing?  NOTHING?

And sorry, having been to Vegas a number of times, even if you have a "personal" Casino Host, just because your television doesn't work means THEY are going to go in and fix it.  That's what they have Maintenance Services for, and that's who should have been used/called.

Next, Hyder (Chief of Security) told her she should consider herself "lucky" to have had sex with Roethlisberger?  And she never reported this to HR?  And that she "suspects"?  But has no evidence of it?

Then she claims Harrah's employees are tampering with her laptop?  Has she turned it over to the DA or Reno Police for investigation?

The HR personnel said that if a hotel employee were assaulted by a guest they (Harrah's) would HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT IT?  Are you kidding me?

All of this, and no criminal charges, only civil?

I smell a rat.

Did you read the complaint, because it pretty much explains maintenance.

You can smell a rat all you want, but I am not ready to dismiss this just yet.   

[NHSparky]

Yes, I did.  400K in medical bills?  Seriously?

And no, it doesn't explain maintenance in that regard.  She was a casino host at the time of the alleged attack.  Casino hosts do NOT fix televisions.  Just sayin.

[seabelle]

She is not a stripper or waitress -- she was an Executive who was working as a concierge for the VIP floor.   I am not prepared to readily dismiss her based on articles written about the complaint.   

Read the complaint:

http://static.cbslocal.com/station/kdka/Civil_Complaint_Vs_Roethlisberger.pdf

I was very skeptical when I read the article, but changed my mind a bit when I read the complaint.   There is something to this. 

 

What kind of law firm is representing her?  I may look them up later, some attorneys do anything for money.  We were sued a few years ago because the fireworks at our July 4 party led a woman to have nightmares 2 years later. (Hey, I wish they were that good!).  Frivilous, you betcha, but our insurance company settled with them to make her and her snakeoil attorney go away.

I don't believe a major hotel like Harrah's would cover up a crime.  If so, they deserve to lose business and fold.  That's what she's accusing them of doing too.  I wouldn't stay there.

[mamacags]

Some drunk bitch is suing a charity here because she was drunk and fell in their parking lot.  She wants 500,000.00.

[seabelle]

First of all I found her attorney, Calvin R.X. Dunlap, on Google, which led me to his website which had nothing much.  I DID NOT find him on any of the Reno Attorney/Lawyer listings or major Legal Directories for Nevada.  Not even the Yellow Pages?  Hmmmm?

During my googlefest, I found this article from NBCSports.....the plot thickens.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/21/questions-arise-regarding-mcnultys-psychiatric-care/

There's also a link to photos of her.  Thank GAWD she's white, so no Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson involvement    Also, the baby she's holding looks too old to be Roethlisberger's   

[formerlurker]

Yes, I did.  400K in medical bills?  Seriously?

And no, it doesn't explain maintenance in that regard.  She was a casino host at the time of the alleged attack.  Casino hosts do NOT fix televisions.  Just sayin.

Read paragraphs 55 to 63.

[formerlurker]

What kind of law firm is representing her?  I may look them up later, some attorneys do anything for money.  We were sued a few years ago because the fireworks at our July 4 party led a woman to have nightmares 2 years later. (Hey, I wish they were that good!).  Frivilous, you betcha, but our insurance company settled with them to make her and her snakeoil attorney go away.

I don't believe a major hotel like Harrah's would cover up a crime.  If so, they deserve to lose business and fold.  That's what she's accusing them of doing too.  I wouldn't stay there.

This isn't the first high profile case they have handled:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/24/nv-governor-must-attend-settlement-conference/

Mr. Dunlap is prominent in Nevada legal circles. He represents the wife of the state's governor in their divorce. His law partner, Monique Laxalt, is the niece of Nevada's former governor and U.S. senator Paul Laxalt.

http://blackandgoldworld.blogspot.com/


They aren't a small time law firm.   I don't think they would have touched it if they couldn't win it. 

[JohnnyReb]

Keep it in your pants fellows. Women don't give that stuff away for free.

[NHSparky]

Read paragraphs 55 to 63.

I did.  Again, $380K in medical bills?  Everyone conspiring against her, including upper management, HR, etc?

Sorry, but she's more than a little paranoid and has nothing physical to back it up.  And again, any woman with an IQ above 50 and an age above 12 knows if they are assaulted, call the police FIRST.  PERIOD.

[thundley4]

This isn't the first high profile case they have handled:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/24/nv-governor-must-attend-settlement-conference/

http://blackandgoldworld.blogspot.com/


They aren't a small time law firm.   I don't think they would have touched it if they couldn't win it. 

Maybe not, but they could be relying on their reputation to force a settlement.

[NHSparky]

Maybe not, but they could be relying on their reputation to force a settlement.

Wouldn't be the first lawyer/firm to do it.

[formerlurker]

I did.  Again, $380K in medical bills?  Everyone conspiring against her, including upper management, HR, etc?

Sorry, but she's more than a little paranoid and has nothing physical to back it up.  And again, any woman with an IQ above 50 and an age above 12 knows if they are assaulted, call the police FIRST.  PERIOD.

You don't know that at all.   This is just the complaint.  We have no idea what they have. 

She was admitted into the hospital.  Psych ward stay could have been a while, so I don't see that figure as a lot.   

No idea where this will go, but big guns don't touch this stuff unless they can piece it all together.   Ben should be worried. 

 

[formerlurker]

Maybe not, but they could be relying on their reputation to force a settlement.

Ben's attorney isn't going to wet behind the ears.   He can't afford a settlement on the PR end of it.   

This has the potential of being very ugly.

[NHSparky]

You don't know that at all.   This is just the complaint.  We have no idea what they have. 

She was admitted into the hospital.  Psych ward stay could have been a while, so I don't see that figure as a lot.   

No idea where this will go, but big guns don't touch this stuff unless they can piece it all together.   Ben should be worried. 

 

Sorry dear, but I think you're off base on this one.  IF she were in fact a rape victim, and being PHYSICALLY assaulted (as she stated in the complaint) by as she states, "a 240-pound man" should have left SOME sort of mark.  She also stated he ejaculated on her.  No DNA, ANYWHERE?  Really? 

And notwithstanding, Harrah's is a multi-billion dollar corporation.  Ben is an athlete accused of a crime.  Why would Harrah's risk the liability to bring someone like that back if there was ANYTHING behind it at all?  Would their employees all act this way, each and every one of them fully aware of what could happen to their own careers and the company if it got out that you can just rape employees at will and get away with it cause they'll cover for you?

In this case, the "big guns" smell money.  And as much as I hate to be a cynic as much as the next guy, but I am one these days, particularly when it comes to scheming women and lawyers.  I've seen too many ambulance chasers in my time to think these guys (and this woman's) motives are purely altruistic. 

[NHSparky]

Ben's attorney isn't going to wet behind the ears.   He can't afford a settlement on the PR end of it.   

This has the potential of being very ugly.

Again, which is why this woman and her lawyer are hoping they can get a quick, quiet settlement, IMHO.  Don't be surprised if the DA gets involved, finds nothing, and that gets taken to the civil case.

There's a big difference between Ben and Kobe, people. 

Oh, and again, if she was raped, why hasn't she gone to the authorities?