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Roethlisberger accused of rape and sexual assult
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:24 am
by SkinsFreak
Roger Goodell 'will look into' rape accusation against Ben Roethlisberger
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the league will delve into the suit that alleges Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger raped a woman in 2008.
"I don't know enough of the details, but it's a civil lawsuit, it's something that we obviously will look into," Goodell told reporters, via NFL.com.
"I've been in touch with the Steelers about it."
Andrea McNulty, a former employee at a Lake Tahoe casino, has accused Roethlisberger of rape in a civil suit. There is no criminal complaint.
RENO — A Nevada woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Ben Roethlisberger accusing the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback of raping her while he attended a golf tournament in Lake Tahoe last year.
The former casino employee at Harrah's Lake Tahoe casino included Harrah's management in the suit, which also accuses casino officials of covering up the attack.
Andrea McNulty said she was working at a desk in the penthouse suite during a celebrity golf tournament last July when Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl winner, called her to his room to fix his television.
When she later told Harrah's security chief Guy Hyder, the suit said, she was told Harrah's Tahoe casino president John Koster was close friends with Roethlisberger, and "most girls would feel lucky to get to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger."
The woman's lawyer, Cal Dunlap, said in the suit that McNulty fell into a deep depression afterward, and spent most of the last six months in and out of hospitals. Dunlap declined to comment further. Efforts to reach McNulty were unsuccessful Tuesday.
The suit, filed Friday in Washoe District Court, names Koster, Hyder and six other casino employees.
Roethlisberger's lawyer David Cornwell denied the claim, saying, "Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone; especially Andrea McNulty." He said the absence of any criminal charges was the most compelling evidence the allegations were false.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was looking into the allegations against Roethlisberger.
"I don't know enough of the details, but it's a civil lawsuit. It's something that we obviously will look into," Goodell said Tuesday when asked about it in New York during an unrelated news conference. "I've been in touch with the Steelers about it."
Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said the team was aware of the suit but declined to comment. He also said Roethlisberger's status with the team had not changed in response to the suit.
Harrah's Entertainment spokeswoman Jacqueline Peterson said the company was not named in the suit and said they did not comment on pending litigation.
Roethlisberger canceled a Thursday news conference at the Steelers' facilities, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He was scheduled to promote Shaq Vs., a reality television show. Filming of the show, which pits NBA star Shaquille O'Neal against top athletes, begins this week in Pittsburgh.
I'm sure there will be more to come. If this is a false accusation, this really sucks for Ben. If true... geez. I'm not a law expert, but the fact that there's no criminal trial does seem suspicious.
Link
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:40 am
by Deadskins
Depending on when she reported the rape to the police, it is not all uncommon that there was not a criminal trial.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:00 am
by VetSkinsFan
Rape isn't in all the reports.
NFL.com is reporting :
A woman has filed a lawsuit in Reno, Nev., accusing Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her last summer in his penthouse room at a casino in Lake Tahoe during a celebrity golf tournament.
Rape and sexual assault are serious charges and I believe that there should be a shorter statute of limitations on it. This was from last summer.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:05 am
by PulpExposure
VetSkinsFan wrote:Rape isn't in all the reports.
NFL.com is reporting :
A woman has filed a lawsuit in Reno, Nev., accusing Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her last summer in his penthouse room at a casino in Lake Tahoe during a celebrity golf tournament.
Rape and sexual assault are serious charges and I believe that there should be a shorter statute of limitations on it. This was from last summer.
Generally speaking, the statute of limitations for serious crimes like rape and sexual assault is not
that short. I think in Nevada it's 4 years, but I could be wrong. Generally the more serious the crime, the longer the statute of limitations is.
Yep:
Murder: none; theft, robbery, arson, burglary, forgery, sexual assault: 4 yrs; others: 3 yrs.; sexual abuse of a child: by time victim reaches 21 yrs. old or 28 yrs. old if "does not discover or reasonably should not have discovered" he was a victim
Gross misdemeanor: 2 yrs.; others: 1 yr.
You'll see that the most serious crime (murder) has no statute of limitation, while minor misdemeanors only have a year.
As to why a civil and not a criminal (or a civil and criminal), that's highly suspicious, unless the proof to establish culpability in a criminal trial is just not there (there's a lower burden of proof in civil trials as compared to criminal trials).
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:30 am
by VetSkinsFan
As to why a civil and not a criminal (or a civil and criminal), that's highly suspicious, unless the proof to establish culpability in a criminal trial is just not there (there's a lower burden of proof in civil trials as compared to criminal trials).
This makes me skeptical as well. Not that I'm a lawyer, but I've studied just a little bit of law.
IMHO, it sounds like she wants to get paid. She's not asking for a lot of money, and by money that Ben's getting from his contract and endorsements (latter is total speculation on my part, I don't know the numbers), it's not a lot of money she's asking for initially. Couple that with no criminal trial...seems a little shady to me.
It also struck me funny that Ben's attorney replied to allegations of sexual assualt and not once (from the few statements I've seen so far) addresses rape, which I am positive that the attorney would address. I wish for the best and hope the unbiased truth surfaces. If she's trying to get paid, I hope she goes thru the ringer. If he did it, I hope he is treated like a normal citizen and not a celebrity.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:04 pm
by Countertrey
I doubt that there is any smoke here. She did not file a police report. She would need some pretty damned compelling evidence to have even a hint of a shot at convincing a jury of rape in a civil trial.
Something smells funny...
I think she's hoping Big Ben settles to make it go away.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 4:13 pm
by Irn-Bru
Countertrey wrote:I doubt that there is any smoke here. She did not file a police report. She would need some pretty damned compelling evidence to have even a hint of a shot at convincing a jury of rape in a civil trial.
A reasonable jury, yes. But the jury that the prosecution may get, should this go to trial? I'm not so sure.
I agree that it smells funny. My first thought after reading the initial report was "gold digger."
I think she's hoping Big Ben settles to make it go away.
Here's the sad thing. Big Ben probably did have sex with her, like he probably does with tons of women. But when you are famous and rich and live that lifestyle, it's a little like painting a target on your chest.
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:15 pm
by SkinsJock
VetSkinsFan wrote:If he did it, I hope he is treated like a normal citizen and not a celebrity.
I agree VetSkins.
If he did it I hope he gets fair and just treatment from the results of the civil trial AND I hope Goodell throws him a big time suspension from the NFL - The NFL's code of conduct has nothing at all to do with the justice system and these guys understand that very clearly - do not do anything to hurt the shield or it will jeopardise your playing with the NFL
IF he did it I hope the NFL treats him like he treated her - with no respect
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:59 pm
by yupchagee
Irn-Bru wrote:Countertrey wrote:I doubt that there is any smoke here. She did not file a police report. She would need some pretty damned compelling evidence to have even a hint of a shot at convincing a jury of rape in a civil trial.
A reasonable jury, yes. But the jury that the prosecution may get, should this go to trial? I'm not so sure.
I agree that it smells funny. My first thought after reading the initial report was "gold digger."
I think she's hoping Big Ben settles to make it go away.
Here's the sad thing. Big Ben probably did have sex with her, like he probably does with tons of women. But when you are famous and rich and live that lifestyle, it's a little like painting a target on your chest.
Sounds a lot like the Kobe Bryant case.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:27 am
by langleyparkjoe
We got enough knuckle heads in the NFL, I hope he's innocent of all charges
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:44 am
by SkinsJock
langleyparkjoe wrote:We got enough knuckle heads in the NFL, I hope he's innocent of all charges
ain't it the sad truth - hopefully this will be fully explained - it would be a huge shame if he did something so stupid
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:34 am
by DEHog
While I’m not saying it’s fair...when you’re a high profile athlete you have to be extremely careful with whom you decide to participate with in extra curricular activities.
When you go out and act like this…
I think you bring some things on yourself, and open yourself up to things like this to happen. Again I’m not saying it’s right or fair…but we will see a statement soon that he has reached a agreement with the woman …Why because it would be to embarrassing and coast to much to do otherwise.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:55 am
by langleyparkjoe
Geez, what a great pic.. t-shirt is funny though since he just won another SB
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:33 pm
by Chris Luva Luva
If these allegations of Ben Rofflesburger are true how can he carry the nickname of "gentle"? I propose a new nickname of Forced Ben-itration
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 3:46 pm
by jeremyroyce
I would like to ask a question about the Big Ben situation. Doesn't it seem odd that if he did indeed do the things that are being accused against him, why did she not go to the police immediately? Or at all? Did she feel that the police wouldn't believe her story? And secondly why did she wait a whole year to do this?
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:12 pm
by DEHog
jeremyroyce wrote:I would like to ask a question about the Big Ben situation. Doesn't it seem odd that if he did indeed do the things that are being accused against him, why did she not go to the police immediately? Or at all? Did she feel that the police wouldn't believe her story? And secondly why did she wait a whole year to do this?
It's not what he did it's what you can prove he did...which she can't...Ben has admitted to a "relationship" with her...so she's rolling the dice that he'll pay to aviod the bad press...I wish people like this were held accountable...like if this case went to trail and she loses she should have to pay all Ben's legal costs.
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 10:29 pm
by SkinsJock
OR, if the reverse were true, he would be treated on an eqitable scale - now we all know that ain't going to happen
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 5:43 am
by CanesSkins26
If he did it, I hope he is treated like a normal citizen and not a celebrity.
In what sense? While it certainly helps to have the money of a celebrity to hire an attorney, in many instances celebrities are treated more harshly than normal citizens when it comes to criminal proceedings. The perfect example is Michael Vick. If he was Michael Vick the bus driver, not Michael Vick the famous NFL qb, he certainly would not have had federal charges filed against him in his case. Another example is Paris Hilton. I know of several people that have had more serious driving-related offenses and didn't even come close to going to jail. Plaxico Burress is yet another good example. Do you really think that the mayor of NYC would be pressuring prosecutors and making public statements about the case it if it was just a normal person that had shot himself with a gun? It certainly does help to have the money to hire talented lawyers (i.e. OJ) and to be able to use your money for settlements (i.e. Dante Stallworth), but at the same time being a celebrity paints a target or your chest and there are occasions were prosecutors will try to make a name for themselves by moving forward with a case that they would normally settle or not even file if the defendant wasn't a celebrity.
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 7:35 am
by Fios
My man, Paris Hilton should be imprisoned simply for being who she is ... and while there are a few instances in which the fact that a defendant is a celebrity works to their disadvantage, for the overwhelming majority of them, celeb = money and money = advantage.
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:50 am
by SkinsJock
CanesSkins26 wrote:If he did it, I hope he is treated like a normal citizen and not a celebrity.
In what sense? While it certainly helps to have the money of a celebrity to hire an attorney, in many instances celebrities are treated more harshly than normal citizens when it comes to criminal proceedings. The perfect example is Michael Vick. If he was Michael Vick the bus driver, not Michael Vick the famous NFL qb, he certainly would not have had federal charges filed against him in his case. Another example is Paris Hilton. I know of several people that have had more serious driving-related offenses and didn't even come close to going to jail. Plaxico Burress is yet another good example. Do you really think that the mayor of NYC would be pressuring prosecutors and making public statements about the case it if it was just a normal person that had shot himself with a gun? It certainly does help to have the money to hire talented lawyers (i.e. OJ) and to be able to use your money for settlements (i.e. Dante Stallworth), but at the same time being a celebrity paints a target or your chest and there are occasions were prosecutors will try to make a name for themselves by moving forward with a case that they would normally settle or not even file if the defendant wasn't a celebrity.
please
"The perfect example is Michael Vick. If he was Michael Vick the bus driver, not Michael Vick the famous NFL qb, he certainly would not have had federal charges filed against him in his case." you say this is a "perfect example"!! Vick was not convicted and did not serve time in jail for what he did to or with the dogs - Vick was convicted in a federal court under the RICO statutes and these statutes are in place to ensure we can "convict" people like Vick, the mafia and others who might otherwise find a legal way of getting out of serving time for their crimes.
Vick's issues with the NFL (and Goodell) are also
only because he did not adhere to the NFL's code of conduct policy and more because among other things he did, he lied to Goodell when he was asked if there was anything that might preclude him from representing the NFL at VT after the shootings there.
I agree with fios - we have to handle these issues on a case by case basis because otherwise the balance of justice's scales would be definetly in favor of the "favored" = wealthy/celebrity
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:54 am
by PulpExposure
CanesSkins26 wrote:If he did it, I hope he is treated like a normal citizen and not a celebrity.
In what sense? While it certainly helps to have the money of a celebrity to hire an attorney, in many instances celebrities are treated more harshly than normal citizens when it comes to criminal proceedings. The perfect example is Michael Vick. If he was Michael Vick the bus driver, not Michael Vick the famous NFL qb, he certainly would not have had federal charges filed against him in his case. Another example is Paris Hilton. I know of several people that have had more serious driving-related offenses and didn't even come close to going to jail. Plaxico Burress is yet another good example. Do you really think that the mayor of NYC would be pressuring prosecutors and making public statements about the case it if it was just a normal person that had shot himself with a gun? It certainly does help to have the money to hire talented lawyers (i.e. OJ) and to be able to use your money for settlements (i.e. Dante Stallworth), but at the same time being a celebrity paints a target or your chest and there are occasions were prosecutors will try to make a name for themselves by moving forward with a case that they would normally settle or not even file if the defendant wasn't a celebrity.
While there certainly is a measure of publicity-seeking that a prosecutor or other elected official may engage in by going after a celebrity, you know as well as I do that the scales of justice are firmly on the side of the guy with money. With money, you can hire an army of high-priced, extremely talented lawyers, who can essentially bury the (generally overworked) prosecutors.
It's better to be rich and famous, than poor and common. For every example you bring up...there are a zillion where an athlete or celebrity ends up not being charged or serves a lesser crime because of the resources he's able to tap (see Donte Stallworth, Ray Lewis, etc.), when your average joe's recourse is the way overworked and underfunded public defender's office.
And for what it's worth, Michael Vick hired some really second-class lawyers.