civil sexual assault charges against Big Ben [Archive]

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stevew

07-20-2009, 10:35 PM

Should be a nice distraction.

Can't link right now.

Don't understand yet if there was any criminal complaint. Allegations state conduct was more than a year ago.

sabotai

07-20-2009, 10:54 PM

Roethlisberger denies civil allegations of sexual assault | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/20/roethlisberger-denies-civil-allegations-of-sexual-assault/)

She is taking it directly to civil court. No criminal investigation.

Greyroofoo

07-20-2009, 11:04 PM

McNulty alleges that Roethlisberger asked her to come to his hotel room to fix the television, and that he thereafter forced her to have sex with him.

Beware of NFL QBs wanting you to fix their TV.

And if this was Pacman he would be suspended by now.

Lathum

07-20-2009, 11:11 PM

Cornwell, a finalist for the position of NFLPA Executive Director who has represented in the recent past Saints running back Reggie Bush and Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth, points to the fact that no criminal complaint has been filed, and that no criminal investigation has occurred.

Sounds like BS to me. No criminal investigation? Should be the end of the civil suit right there. Girl gets forced into sex and doesn't call the cops? c'mon.

PilotMan

07-20-2009, 11:20 PM

And if this was Pacman he would be suspended by now.

Blinky's a bitch.
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Schmidty

07-20-2009, 11:37 PM

To this day, I always associate "Big Ben" with Ben Wallace. I always click on a link and am surprised to see Roethlisberger as the subject inside.

Groundhog

07-20-2009, 11:56 PM

To this day, I always associate "Big Ben" with Ben Wallace. I always click on a link and am surprised to see Roethlisberger as the subject inside.

I'm like that with every forum except this one, because FOFC leans more to the football side of things. But I think it's silly having two professional athletes with the same nickname.

Abe Sargent

07-20-2009, 11:57 PM

Sounds like BS to me. No criminal investigation? Should be the end of the civil suit right there. Girl gets forced into sex and doesn't call the cops? c'mon.

That's not uncommon. Many women wait weeks, months or longer before coming to terms with sexual assault. It's not the same crime as if her purse was stolen.

Mustang

07-20-2009, 11:59 PM

You know, between McNair, Vick and now this, Favre is going to have a really hard time having the headlines to himself.

Lathum

07-21-2009, 12:33 AM

That's not uncommon. Many women wait weeks, months or longer before coming to terms with sexual assault. It's not the same crime as if her purse was stolen.

but run out and file a civil suit in the mean time?

Lathum

07-21-2009, 12:36 AM

That's not uncommon. Many women wait weeks, months or longer before coming to terms with sexual assault. It's not the same crime as if her purse was stolen.

dola- I get that it is a heinous crime and in no was condone it.

My girlfriend in college was sexually assaulted and my sister was abused by her now dead husband. I understand first hand how this works, probably better then most. The first impulse of someone who was abused isn't to try and get paid.

If Big Ben did this the shame on him, but even if he did, the fact that the girl is trying to get paid withoug filing criminal charges is absurd.

sabotai

07-21-2009, 12:43 AM

That's not uncommon. Many women wait weeks, months or longer before coming to terms with sexual assault. It's not the same crime as if her purse was stolen.

(To add to what you said,) I've known several women who had been raped, and none of them reported it to the cops. Some of them just wanted to put it behind them (afraid the cops wouldn't believe them, afraid they wouldn't be able to prove it in court, etc.). For some, it took years for them to come to terms with it. Just a guess on my anecdotal evidence, but I'd be surprised if more than 10% of rapes get reported. I wouldn't be surprised if it were more like 5% or less.

But then again, the women I knew weren't accusing an NFL player of it and didn't bring civil suits against their attacker, so I am leaning more on the "this is total BS" side of things in this particular case. I guess we'll have to see if she had a rape kit done when she claims it happened. If not, I don't see how she can think this has any chance whatsoever.

Abe Sargent

07-21-2009, 12:45 AM

I'm just syaing that I wouldn;t dismiss it out of hand without knowing more details.

Abe Sargent

07-21-2009, 12:47 AM

but run out and file a civil suit in the mean time?

She waited a year. That's not exactly running right out and doing it. It could easily have taken her a year to come to terms with it, and by then, no investigation is really even possible - not like physical evidence stays around that long.

Lathum

07-21-2009, 12:51 AM

She waited a year. That's not exactly running right out and doing it. It could easily have taken her a year to come to terms with it, and by then, no investigation is really even possible - not like physical evidence stays around that long.

so she just decided she should be paid then?

I'm sorry, I realize I can be cynical, and rape is horrible, but filing a civil suit for something like this without filing a criminal suit just reeks of someone looking for a payday.

digamma

07-21-2009, 01:07 AM

A few thoughts:

-Keep in mind that the burden of proof is much lower in a civil case than a criminal case. This is particularly important in he said vs. she said situations.

-Not impressed with the initial statements by Roethlisberger's lawyer. He may just be out of his realm (seems to be more of a negotiator/business lawyer), but I wouldn't have said that Ben "especially" didn't assault this woman. Also, whether Ben committed "criminal" acts is not determinative of whether he is liable in a civil matter (though some of the evidence about why there was or was not a criminal investigation may be relevant/persuasive).

-Some might argue that filing a civil suit is more gutsy than going to the police. By filing a civil suit, you waive many of the privacy rights you have in a criminal case. You also pretty much ensure you're going to take the witness stand if the case goes to trial. All that means more scrutiny of your case and of you, as a victim, by the general public.

-The complaint sounds like it makes for good reading, if nothing else.

-All of that said, it certainly has the scent of a money grab.

Karlifornia

07-21-2009, 01:15 AM

so she just decided she should be paid then?

I'm sorry, I realize I can be cynical, and rape is horrible, but filing a civil suit for something like this without filing a criminal suit just reeks of someone looking for a payday.

Maybe she got raped, and also, in addition to that, just wants a payday. I see no reason that the two have to be mutually exclusive.

Axxon

07-21-2009, 01:17 AM

To this day, I always associate "Big Ben" with Ben Wallace. I always click on a link and am surprised to see Roethlisberger as the subject inside.

I thought about the clock.

Lathum

07-21-2009, 01:22 AM

Maybe she got raped, and also, in addition to that, just wants a payday. I see no reason that the two have to be mutually exclusive.

I see nothing wrong with wanting to get paid, but I think it would be a bit more believable if she wanted justice also.

dawgfan

07-21-2009, 01:34 AM

I see nothing wrong with wanting to get paid, but I think it would be a bit more believable if she wanted justice also.
Perhaps she feels like a criminal investigation at this point has little chance of success, so rather than just let it go completely, why not file a civil suit so he faces some level of punishment? If she succeeds, it won't just hurt him financially, it'll tarnish his reputation in a big way. For all we know, she may plan on giving away any money she's awarded; or maybe she feels like a big payday is some small consolation for the pain she's experienced (this is all assuming her accusations are true).

I guess I'm just saying that I see no reason yet to dismiss her actions out of hand as simply a money grab/publicity stunt.

Karlifornia

07-21-2009, 03:31 AM

Perhaps she feels like a criminal investigation at this point has little chance of success, so rather than just let it go completely, why not file a civil suit so he faces some level of punishment? If she succeeds, it won't just hurt him financially, it'll tarnish his reputation in a big way. For all we know, she may plan on giving away any money she's awarded; or maybe she feels like a big payday is some small consolation for the pain she's experienced (this is all assuming her accusations are true).

I guess I'm just saying that I see no reason yet to dismiss her actions out of hand as simply a money grab/publicity stunt.

EDIT: This is really more in response to Lathum, and an agreement with dawgfan.

I have no experience with the judicial system, but I'd assume victory criminal trials lead to no economic gains for the aggrieved. Would that be correct? Maybe, on advice of a lawyer, she was told that she could either have Roethlisberger face jail time, or have Roethlisberger face paying her a sum of money (or settling out of court for a lesser, but still substantial amount).

For any 100 people on who say "All I want is justice", I'd bet there's any 100 people who say "All I want is money", if given the option. Look at the Michael Jackson cases. Look at the Donte Stallworth case.

Balldog

07-21-2009, 05:11 AM

As much as I despise Roethlisberger I'm just not buying this one.

NewIdentity

07-21-2009, 07:23 AM

With no Criminal Case, I am guessing her lawyers have already went directly to Ben's Lawyers and been turned down before filing a civil case.

Either way it is win, win for her; as now she gets to hit the talk shows for some money and can look forward to getting even more money for a spread in Playboy or PEnthouse even if she loses her civil case.

Ronnie Dobbs2

07-21-2009, 07:26 AM

Well, if she were actually sexually assaulted, I'm not sure "win, win" is exactly how she's looking at it.

NewIdentity

07-21-2009, 08:25 AM

What does this mean?
McNulty also claims that the coworkers named in the complaint thereafter defamed her by making allegedly false and inflammatory statements, and by allegedly serving as aiders and abettors of Roethlisberger's alleged misconduct after the fact.
If the Police are not involved who are these statements too?

Does this mean she is also suing her coworkers, or maybe just the hotel? What were her coworkers doing? "serving as aiders and abettors of Roethlisberger's alleged misconduct after the fact" IS the hotel named in the suit? I know Ben has real deep pockets, but could she also go after her employer?

Samdari

07-21-2009, 08:28 AM

if this was Pacman he would be suspended by now.

arrest count

PacMan:7
BigBen: 0

molson

07-21-2009, 08:31 AM

People are talking like a criminal prosecution would be her choice to make. It's not. (I haven't read anything this stuff, but I haven't heard any indication that she didn't want a criminal prosecution). Prosecutor's offices decline cases like this all the time, if they allegations come a year or whatever later and there's no physical evidence. Like people have said, it's very possible this case is not proveable as a crime, but provebable as a civil tort.

Lathum

07-21-2009, 09:35 AM

molson

07-21-2009, 09:51 AM

If they went to police and were denied an investigation/ prosecution they that's a pretty important part of the story to leave out and very poor journalism.

It did say:

"It's unknown at this point whether McNulty ever has attempted to file criminal charges as a result of the incident, which allegedly occurred in July 2008."

It's always written like that, even though no civilian can "file criminal charges" against anyone (there might be a few states left that have old laws still on the books that allows one to bring criminal charges directly, but it never happens). And the prosecutor's office probably won't reveal any information about cases where they decline prosecution (which, depending on the office and budget situation, can be 50-90% of all cases that are referenced to them. I imagine rape would be on the high end of that).

Kodos

07-21-2009, 09:55 AM

I hope he's innocent. I'm tired of athletes being revealed as terrible people. I've always liked Big Ben to some degreee.

watravaler

07-21-2009, 10:05 AM

Bad-example

07-21-2009, 10:11 AM

While we don't have any clue as to the validity of her claims, I am just glad she chose the civil suit as her instrument of revenge instead of a gun.

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 10:18 AM

Raper or not, Ben is pretty much forced to settle out of court to avoid the circus. If the women was raped, and wants to get back at Roeth, this is a wise move, imo. She is 99% assured of a pay-day...

And if he settles out of court (yet didn't do it) everyone will call him a rapist... Once shit like this happens to you, you basically lose.

molson

07-21-2009, 10:24 AM

Once shit like this happens to youlose.

Interesting choice of words.

Really interesting between this, and the Erin Andrews situation how quick people are to blame the woman.

And that's not even really true here, where people are more restrained and mature. But I can imagine what the regular football boards are saying about this....

NewIdentity

07-21-2009, 10:29 AM

Any idea who she is, for the hotel?(answered in article)

Here is a bigger article on this

Latest News and Rumors | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/)

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 10:37 AM

Interesting choice of words.

Really interesting between this, and the Erin Andrews situation how quick people are to blame the woman.

And that's not even really true here, where people are more restrained and mature. But I can imagine what the regular football boards are saying about this....
Not sure who is blaming the woman, I wasn't. But regardless if he did it or not, he's now going to have various groups calling him a rapist till the day he dies, unless it comes out 100% that she is lying about the assault.

I sort of ignored the Erin Andrews thread, but there are actually people blaming her, amazing, I wonder if these people would be blaming their wife if it was video of her instead.

MikeVic

07-21-2009, 10:43 AM

johnnyshaka

07-21-2009, 10:45 AM

Interesting choice of words.

Really interesting between this, and the Erin Andrews situation how quick people are to blame the woman.

And that's not even really true here, where people are more restrained and mature. But I can imagine what the regular football boards are saying about this....

You are taking his words out of context...if he didn't do it and pays her out just because he wants to avoid circus the court case would bring on, then, yes, the woman is to blame because she's a lying bitch who's using his fame to fill her bank account.

stevew

07-21-2009, 10:52 AM

PFT's Florio is really jacking off on his keyboard. I may have to re-evaluate visiting that site.

Logan

07-21-2009, 10:55 AM

Complaint gets very specific regarding interaction between McNulty, Roethlisberger | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/21/complaint-gets-very-specific-regarding-interaction-between-mcnulty-roethlisberger/)

Would I be amazed if an athlete doesn't think he's sexually assaulting a woman just because she isn't kicking, screaming and punching him? Probably not.

NewIdentity

07-21-2009, 11:02 AM

TMZ has pictures of Ben and McNulty together where Ben looks drunker than hell.

This is not going away anytime soon.
The allged incident between Roethlisberger and McNulty took place in July 2008. Roethlisberger has acknowledged he had sex with McNulty, but claims it was consensual.

MikeVic

07-21-2009, 11:06 AM

I currently do not believe McNulty (the wife of the guy from The Wire?), but if this ends up to be true... I'll take donations on the next QB jersey I should buy. I got Michael Vick's in his rookie year, and I got Roethlisberer's last year.

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 11:13 AM

TMZ has pictures of Ben and McNulty together where Ben looks drunker than hell.

This is not going away anytime soon.
Really they do? I just looked at the 3 articles they have posted and none show pictures of them together, care to share the link?

Logan

07-21-2009, 11:17 AM

Samdari

07-21-2009, 01:13 PM

It did say:

"It's unknown at this point whether McNulty ever has attempted to file criminal charges as a result of the incident, which allegedly occurred in July 2008."

It's always written like that, even though no civilian can "file criminal charges" against anyone (there might be a few states left that have old laws still on the books that allows one to bring criminal charges directly, but it never happens). And the prosecutor's office probably won't reveal any information about cases where they decline prosecution (which, depending on the office and budget situation, can be 50-90% of all cases that are referenced to them. I imagine rape would be on the high end of that).

This is really semantics though. Since police officers rarely witness sexual assaults, virtually all prosecutions originate as someone filing a criminal complaint. The DA does decide whether or not to prosecute each case, but they rarely prosecute the ones THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT. This reporting of it to the authorities is generally what is regarded as 'filing criminal charges'.

molson

07-21-2009, 01:48 PM

This is really semantics though. Since police officers rarely witness sexual assaults, virtually all prosecutions originate as someone filing a criminal complaint. The DA does decide whether or not to prosecute each case, but they rarely prosecute the ones THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT. This reporting of it to the authorities is generally what is regarded as 'filing criminal charges'.

Very true, I've just always been annoyed by that wording - it makes people think that they have the right to determine who gets charged criminally (or for that matter, who isn't charged), which can make things difficult for a prosecutor's office sometimes.

RomaGoth

07-21-2009, 01:56 PM

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 02:16 PM

As a Steelers fan and a Roethlisberger fan, I must say that I am extremely disappointed. He obviously put himself in a poor position for this to be happening, whether he assaulted/raped her or not. If he did do this to her, he should go to prison. Not to mention, have you guys seen her pics yet? She is one fugly shemale, I refuse to post them here.

So sick of athletes getting into shitty situations, is it me or does this seem to be a more recurring theme these days? :(
So... Having sex with a woman puts you in poor position? I just don't see how this really is preventable. Heck how about if he didn't even touch her, how is it preventable? Not trying to pick you apart, just trying to understand your reasoning...

Logan

07-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Not to mention, have you guys seen her pics yet? She is one fugly shemale, I refuse to post them here.

For his sake, I really wish he didn't admit to it being consensual either. Good lord. Makes the "...especially Andrea McNulty" comment even funnier.

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 02:19 PM

For his sake, I really wish he didn't admit to it being consensual either. Good lord. Makes the "...especially Andrea McNulty" comment even funnier.

I saw the pictures on TMZ, she's not bad, just a little above average, was better with the black hair. She ain't no Lily Allen though... (actually she's more attractive then Lily IMO).

muns

07-21-2009, 05:09 PM

I saw the pictures on TMZ, she's not bad, just a little above average, was better with the black hair. She ain't no Lily Allen though... (actually she's more attractive then Lily IMO).

Sorry Dan but she isnt above average at all. Without trying to be a total ass because of the sensitive situation, I gotta say that if thats what a two time super bowl champ is trying to hook up with at night, its dissapointing.

Bad-example

07-21-2009, 05:18 PM

She ain't no Lily Allen though... (actually she's more attractive then Lily IMO).

I would much rather have sex with her then Lily Allen.

Aw, who am I kidding? Lily can go first if she really wants to.

DanGarion

07-21-2009, 06:40 PM

Sorry Dan but she isnt above average at all. Without trying to be a total ass because of the sensitive situation, I gotta say that if thats what a two time super bowl champ is trying to hook up with at night, its dissapointing.

Well in the context of the real world, she's slightly average. In the context of a superstar athlete she's below. Is that better?

Dr. Sak

07-21-2009, 06:56 PM

http://kissingsuzykolber.lg1x8.simplecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/benwatchmen.jpg

Grammaticus

07-21-2009, 06:57 PM

I saw an article that indicated a criminal investigation or an attempt to file one in Nevada are to remain confidential. So it is possible the only people who know of a filing are the person making the complaintent and the police.

Maybe she is trying to file one or filed one and it was rejected due to lack of evidence and she is now proceeding with a civil suit. I'm sure we will find out as people start to talk.

muns

07-21-2009, 08:05 PM

Well in the context of the real world, she's slightly average. In the context of a superstar athlete she's below. Is that better?

ya I guess I can agree with slightly average. Anyone know how old she is? The pics show her with a kid, 35 ish????

muns

07-21-2009, 08:07 PM

http://kissingsuzykolber.lg1x8.simplecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/benwatchmen.jpg

Dola-

I was wondering when you were going to weigh in. This makes his what 2nd or 3rd major dumbass thing he has gotten himself into?

sabotai

07-21-2009, 08:11 PM

TMZ is the source....but this may give light to what was meant in previous articles about claims of hotel staff served as aiders and abettors.

Roethlisberger Accuser -- I Tried to Report It | TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/21/roethlisberger-accuser-report-sexual-assault/)

The woman accusing Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault claims she tried to tell the head of hotel security about the incident the day after it happened -- but the guy completely blew her off and threatened her job.

In her lawsuit filed last week in Nevada, Andrea McNulty claims Guy Hyder -- the chief of security at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe -- told her she was "over-reacting" and that "most girls would feel lucky to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger."

McNulty also claims Hyder told her that John Koster -- the president of the hotel - will "personally fire you for starting rumors about Roethlisberger's personal life."

muns

07-21-2009, 08:13 PM

As a Steeler fan, thats not a good sign

Pumpy Tudors

07-21-2009, 08:25 PM

I haven't read any of this news closely enough to form an opinion on the situation, but this woman looks better than about 95% of the young women I've seen in Pittsburgh. That's my only comment.

EagleFan

07-21-2009, 08:31 PM

All I heard is that she said that he obviously wasn't given the nickname Big Ben by anyone who has seen him in the shower.....

muns

07-21-2009, 08:37 PM

I haven't read any of this news closely enough to form an opinion on the situation, but this woman looks better than about 95% of the young women I've seen in Pittsburgh. That's my only comment.

You must not leave greensburg too often pumpy. Maybe at the loft (is that place still open?) but not downtown. I totally disagree.

Pumpy Tudors

07-21-2009, 08:46 PM

You must not leave greensburg too often pumpy. Maybe at the loft (is that place still open?) but not downtown. I totally disagree.
Well, OK, I was completely exaggerating. It's just easy to make fun of Pittsburgh in any way possible.

muns

07-21-2009, 09:00 PM

Well, OK, I was completely exaggerating. It's just easy to make fun of Pittsburgh in any way possible.

my bad I should have known :)

Dr. Sak

07-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Dola-

I was wondering when you were going to weigh in. This makes his what 2nd or 3rd major dumbass thing he has gotten himself into?

I don't know if he did it or not but I do know there are people out there that want to make a buck too. If he did it, I hope he pays...if he didn't, I hope she does.

fantom1979

07-21-2009, 09:31 PM

I don't know if he did it or not but I do know there are people out there that want to make a buck too. If he did it, I hope he pays...if he didn't, I hope she does.

basically how I feel. Whoever is wrong here can burn in hell for all i care.... and if those quotes from the hotel/casino guys are true, they can burn as well.

Ronnie Dobbs2

07-21-2009, 09:50 PM

I'm not sure this is legit, I spent all day reading and watching ESPN and there was no mention of this.

MrBug708

07-21-2009, 09:52 PM

Kobe liason tried to get him thrown in jail, realized she didnt have much of a case, so she took him to Civil Court to make him pay her to go away.

Lathum

07-21-2009, 10:14 PM

I'm not sure this is legit, I spent all day reading and watching ESPN and there was no mention of this.

I usually watch ESPN while I shower in the morning and I also thought it odd there was no mention of it at all.

JeeberD

07-21-2009, 10:25 PM

Hmmm...Deadspin has this pic (http://deadspin.com/5319620/espn-breaks-its-silence-on-ben-roethlisberger) regarding ESPN's coverage, but I don't know if it's real because I can't find it anywhere on the actual site.

molson

07-21-2009, 10:49 PM

I'm not sure this is legit, I spent all day reading and watching ESPN and there was no mention of this.

It is interesting that this doesn't even get a headline on the NFL page on ESPN.com, while it's on the front page of Boston.com. Definitely varying opinions about whether this is news at this point.

PilotMan

07-21-2009, 11:04 PM

Remember the Duke Lacrosse team, remember the reports, and remember the public outcry. Yeah, I am a steeler fan, but a year, and no criminal reports, and something doesn't smell right. There has to be more of the story than what has come out so far.

Samdari

07-22-2009, 07:20 AM

In her lawsuit filed last week in Nevada, Andrea McNulty claims Guy Hyder -- the chief of security at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe -- told her she was "over-reacting" and that "most girls would feel lucky to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger."

McNulty also claims Hyder told her that John Koster -- the president of the hotel - will "personally fire you for starting rumors about Roethlisberger's personal life."

Sounds like she should be suing the hotel. Has a heck of a claim for that.

Ronnie Dobbs2

07-22-2009, 07:27 AM

It is interesting that this doesn't even get a headline on the NFL page on ESPN.com, while it's on the front page of Boston.com. Definitely varying opinions about whether this is news at this point.

Actually I was being a bit disengenuous. As PFT has documented (as well as Florio being the guy who broke the story), ESPN has issued a DO NOT REPORT (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/07/21/source-espn-issues-do-not-report-alert-on-roethlisberger-story/) memo on the subject, and has given really no justification for it.

fantom1979

07-22-2009, 08:03 AM

I was listening to Dan Patrick's radio show yesterday morning, and they thought ESPN wasn't reporting on it because ESPN did not break the story. And if ESPN doesn't break it, then it isn't news.

Now, not really sure how good of a quote that is, considering that Patrick and ESPN have some history.

Noop

07-22-2009, 03:51 PM

Interesting POVs expressed in this thread. I find it rather odd that there was no criminal investigation and ESPN has not reported anything.(Too my knowledge)

Easy Mac

07-22-2009, 05:04 PM

I saw the pictures on TMZ, she's not bad, just a little above average, was better with the black hair.

no she's not

RainMaker

07-22-2009, 05:29 PM

I usually watch ESPN while I shower in the morning and I also thought it odd there was no mention of it at all.
ESPN protects who it wants and the NFL has a very cozy relationship with them.

MrKordell

07-22-2009, 09:24 PM

She never went to the police (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4349253)

Ronnie Dobbs2

07-22-2009, 09:47 PM

Welcome to the conversation ESPN!

BrianD

07-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Odd, in the recent TMZ photos, she doesn't look all that attractive. Do a Google Image search on her name and it brings up a couple of pictures supposedly of them together. Looks quite hot in those.

muns

07-22-2009, 10:37 PM

Odd, in the recent TMZ photos, she doesn't look all that attractive. Do a Google Image search on her name and it brings up a couple of pictures supposedly of them together. Looks quite hot in those.

I dont think those are the same pics of the chick in question. Those pics look like ones where he went back to Miami Ohio to party earlier on in his career.

stevew

07-22-2009, 10:42 PM

It becomes much more of a story if it isn't tossed out as meritless by a judge.

I figure he would have paid her off if he even thought he was wrong. Go the Kobe route.
This is more like the Bettis case.

Sexual disrespect is probably more what this is.

Anyways, it looks nearly impossible for her to win this. She will get destroyed on the stand.

Drake

07-22-2009, 11:33 PM

Consider the source, of course, but there's the possibility that she's just fucking unhinged:

Bizarre Twist in Roethlisberger Assault Case | TMZ.com (http://www.tmz.com/2009/07/21/ben-roethlisberger-sexual-assault-pittsburgh-steelers-superbowl-lawsuit-soldier-mcnulty/)

Sources connected to the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault case claim the psychiatric care the accuser says she's under has nothing to do with Ben .... it has to do with a relationship she had with a man who never existed.

Andrea McNulty has sued Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl champ, claiming he sexually assaulted her in July 2008. Sources tell us Roethlisberger and McNulty had a sexual liaison at the time but Ben insists it was purely consensual. We're told the two knew each other because Ben had stayed at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe over the last several years for golf tournaments -- and she worked at the hotel.

Sources connected with the case tell us a former co-worker of McNulty's at Harrah's came forward with this incredible story -- that around the time McNulty hooked up with Roethlisberger, she was allegedly involved with a married man. The man's wife, we're told, created an email account, posing as a U.S. soldier in Iraq. The wife began corresponding with McNulty to gain information. We're told the former co-worker has said McNulty fell in love with the fictitious soldier and began telling people she was engaged to him. When the wife stopped the correspondence, McNulty then began telling people the soldier was killed in action.

We're told McNulty told at least one co-worker she began seeing a psychiatrist because of the phantom soldier.

We tried repeatedly getting in touch with McNulty. So far we have been unable to reach her.

Kodos

07-23-2009, 09:16 AM

Did they try contacting the soldier?

;)

RainMaker

07-24-2009, 12:18 AM

Welcome to the conversation ESPN!
No shit. Almost a week late. Somewhat destroys their journalistic integrity.

bulletsponge

07-24-2009, 09:39 AM

No shit. Almost a week late. Somewhat destroys their journalistic integrity.

they destroyed that many years ago

albionmoonlight

07-24-2009, 10:00 AM

Soldier?

She's seeing Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow? She must have a thing for the AFC Central.

muns

07-24-2009, 03:50 PM

Soldier?

She's seeing Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow? She must have a thing for the AFC Central.

If Winslow played in the AFC Central ;)

stevew

07-24-2009, 04:33 PM

Or if Big Ben played in the AFC central either. Or if that division has existed in the post 2001 era. :)

RomaGoth

07-24-2009, 04:41 PM

So... Having sex with a woman puts you in poor position? I just don't see how this really is preventable. Heck how about if he didn't even touch her, how is it preventable? Not trying to pick you apart, just trying to understand your reasoning...

He put himself in a poor position by being alone with a woman he obviously has no relationship with. These famous people, athletes and otherwise, have to know they are targets everywhere they go. For the record, he admitted having consensual sex with her. I would say this type of thing is preventable by always knowing where you are, who you are with, and knowing what will probably happen. Can't prevent everything that goes on, but going to a room with a woman who works at a casino, alone, and having sex = trouble.

muns

07-24-2009, 04:43 PM

Or if Big Ben played in the AFC central either. Or if that division has existed in the post 2001 era. :)

WINNER

muns

07-24-2009, 04:45 PM

He put himself in a poor position by being alone with a woman he obviously has no relationship with. These famous people, athletes and otherwise, have to know they are targets everywhere they go. For the record, he admitted having consensual sex with her. I would say this type of thing is preventable by always knowing where you are, who you are with, and knowing what will probably happen. Can't prevent everything that goes on, but going to a room with a woman who works at a casino, alone, and having sex = trouble.

I could swear that an article I read said they knew each other before hand from other trips he made there?

RomaGoth

07-24-2009, 04:49 PM

I wonder if maybe Ben decided to move on to another woman and this McNutty woman couldn't handle it and went kinda batty. I completely understand the whole not going to the cops thing after being raped, but I would be more inclined to believe that if this woman was ten or fifteen years younger. At thirty something, doesn't she have her shit together enough to at least report being raped? I smell something here, and it isn't roses. Maybe it's tuna.

RomaGoth

07-24-2009, 04:50 PM

I could swear that an article I read said they knew each other before hand from other trips he made there?

Yes, very true. I didn't see that until after I posted. Either way, he has to know better than to be doing this stuff with obviously mentally unstable women. He should have asked the soldier about her background first. ;)

Abe Sargent

07-24-2009, 04:57 PM

Suburban Rhythm

08-08-2009, 07:54 PM

Who didn't see this...er...coming-

Woman's affidavit supports Roethlisberger's denial of sexual assault (http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09220/989640-66.stm)

NewIdentity

08-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Who didn't see this...er...coming-

Woman's affidavit supports Roethlisberger's denial of sexual assault (http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09220/989640-66.stm)
But, the same thing happened in the Tyson case. Hours before the rape the woman told one of her fellow pagent winners that she was going to go fuck Mike Tyson, and then hours later she was raped by Mike Tyson in his hotel room. ???

If you ask me threesomes are the only way for someone to have sex. That way the police can get the women in 2 separate rooms and pick their stories apart.

stevew

08-19-2009, 01:40 AM

Roethlisberger's lawyer releases e-mails in defense

Wednesday, August 19, 2009
By Dan Majors and Amy McConnell Schaarsmith, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Less than 24 hours after she claims she was sexually assaulted by Ben Roethlisberger, his accuser sent an e-mail saying she was preparing to go to dinner with the Steelers quarterback and a few others, according to Mr. Roethlisberger's lawyer.

The note was among nearly two dozen e-mails and more than 150 instant messages that were released yesterday by Mr. Roethlisberger's lawyer, William David Cornwell Sr., of Atlanta.

"This golf tournament has been really fun," the woman said in her e-mail discussing the celebrity golf tournament Mr. Roethlisberger was attending in Lake Tahoe, Nev. "I am beat though because we are out until four in the morning by the time we are done.

"I am really excited because we are all going to see Journey tonight and that will be sooooo much fun. Speaking of which, I need to head over to a dinner with [Mr. Roethlisberger] and a few others before heading out. I will be back and working until at least 3am again."

The e-mails' tone and contents, Mr. Cornwell said, "prove she was not raped by Ben Roethlisberger."

Calvin R.X. Dunlap, the Reno, Nev.-based attorney for the plaintiff, did not return a request for comment last night. The Post-Gazette does not name alleged victims of sexual assault.

Mr. Roethlisberger has been sued in a civil complaint by a 31-year-old employee of Harrah's Lake Tahoe, who alleged that he raped her in his hotel room during a celebrity golf tournament last summer. The woman also sued eight co-workers who she said helped cover it up.

In her complaint, the plaintiff said the assault occurred "at or about 10:40 p.m." on July 11, 2008. The e-mail discussing the dinner with Mr. Roethlisberger and others was time-stamped at 6:43 p.m. the next day.

Mr. Cornwell said in a statement that "sexual assault cases often hinge on 'she said, he said,' " and the e-mails from Mr. Roethlisberger's accuser "directly refute the scurrilous allegations made in her complaint."

When asked about the authenticity of the e-mails that he released to news outlets, Mr. Cornwell replied in an e-mail to the Post-Gazette: "We have a good-faith basis to believe that these are [the plaintiff's] communications."

In a request for a change of venue filed in Reno, Nev., last week, Mr. Roethlisberger's attorneys pointed to a series of e-mails between the plaintiff and "a fictional soldier" that they said led to her having a "psychological breakdown."

According to an eight-page affidavit filed by Angela Antonetti, a former co-worker and friend of Mr. Roethlisberger's accuser, the online relationship was a hoax played upon the accuser by the wife of a married man with whom she'd had an affair.

"Soldier Ben," in the e-mails, is identified as the fictitious "Ben Millikan," who sent the plaintiff romantic and playful messages that led her to believe he would marry her upon his return from Iraq.

The e-mails released by Mr. Roethlisberger's lawyer begin July 9, two days before the woman claims she was raped, continue through the days after the alleged assault, and end five months later on Dec. 15.

Mr. Cornwell used the e-mails to point out what he said are contradictions between what Mr. Roethlisberger's accuser claims in her lawsuit and what she said in the exchanges with "Ben Millikan."

For example, he said, the accuser's complaint indicates that the alleged assault "took place on July 11, 2008, at or after 10:40 p.m." -- after which, she said, she left the building, "and went to her truck, in the parking lot, and drove away, very distraught and crying."

Yet in an e-mail to "Ben Millikan" at 12:41 a.m., about two hours later, Mr. Cornwell said, the plaintiff wrote: "aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh I finally got away."

In another e-mail nine minutes later, she wrote: "hahah I was just reading this and noticed you said 'tiored widdle bwue eyes ...' "

Mr. Cornwell also said, "Five months after she claims Mr. Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her, [the plaintiff] apparently tells Ben Millikan: 'I would date Ben Roethlisberger,'" if her online boyfriend and she broke up.

When "Ben Millikan" makes light of her claim, she informs him, "I'm dead serious. ... [Mr. Roethlisberger] said he would take me to this place he has in Wyoming and they horseback into this fishing hole and camp."

Mr. Cornwell said the e-mails "are merely the tip of the investigative iceberg" and that the plaintiff "should abandon her lawsuit immediately and admit that Ben Roethlisberger did not rape her."

In a court filing Monday in Reno, an attorney for Stacy Dingman, one of the Harrah's employees sued in the case, asked a court to dismiss the counts against her. Ms. Dingman, who no longer works for Harrah's, was sued by her former co-worker for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, trespass, defamation and conspiracy.

Roethlisberger's lawyer releases e-mails in defense (http://www.postgazette.com/pg/09231/991790-66.stm)

Aretha Franklin is warming up.....