Ben Roethlisberger Speaks Out About Sexual Assault Charges

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger addressed the media at 2:00 PM today at the team's practice facility. Roethlisberger said, "I did not sexually assault Andrea McNulty. Saturday was the first that I learned of her accusations. Her false and vicious allegations are an attach on my family and on me. I would never ever force myself on a woman. I'm going to fight to protect my family and my reputation. I'm not going to discuss my private life or this civil case in the media. I will respond to these outrageous allegations in the appropriate forum. I have an obligation to our fans and my teammates to my coaches and everyone in the organization to remain focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers. And, I will do that. The allegations against me are reckless and false. As much as I'd like to answer everyone's questions, I'm going respect the legal process and I am confident the truth will prevail."

Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy, Teresa Duffy spoke to a local WPXI reporter and said they are not planning to conduct a criminal investigation because a criminal complaint has never been filed by the accuser regarding the accusations made against Roethlisberger.

Andrea McNulty, a 31 year old employee at Harrah's Lake Tahoe has filed a civil lawsuit stating that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her in his penthouse room at her hotel. Roethlisberger's attorney strongly denies her accusations. McNulty's lawsuit also names Harrah's executives for failing to investigate her complaint that she made to them the following day. It is still not clear why she waited a year to file her $390,000 lawsuit. She is claiming she would have been fired for filing a criminal complaint against Roethlisberger. Her lawsuit said she was treated for depression and anxiety at five different medical facilities since last August. She returned to her job after each treatment. Both Andrea McNulty and her attorney, Cal Dunlap, have not made any public comments regarding the lawsuit.

Roethlisberger's attorney, David Cornwell, made a statement earlier in the week saying, "Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone and the timing of the lawsuit and absence of a criminal complaint proves his innocence."

Harrah's executives have not commented on the civil lawsuit.

Roethlisberger is planning to appear in Shaquille O'Neal's new reality television show, "Shaq Vs". Filming is scheduled to resume in Pittsburgh on Friday. Roethlisberger will appear on the August 18 episode and will challenge Shaq in both football and basketball.

Source: http://www.wpxi.com/news/20156994/detail.html
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