Roethlisberger blasts woman’s accusations
Steelers quarterback vows to fight rape claim
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger vowed Thursday to fight a Lake Tahoe, Nev., casino hostess’ rape allegations against him, calling them “false and vicious.”
Roethlisberger was served with a civil lawsuit last weekend when he returned to Lake Tahoe, where a 31-year-old Nevada woman alleges the quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse in July 2008. Roethlisberger was in Nevada on both occasions to compete in a celebrity golf event.
The woman did not file a criminal complaint.
“Saturday was the first I heard of her accusations,” Roethlisberger said. “Her false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me. I would never, ever force myself on a woman.”
In his first public comments on the matter, Roethlisberger read a statement at the Steelers’ practice complex in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger spoke for less than two minutes and did not respond to questions.
Roethlisberger was accompanied by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin; his agent, Ryan Tollner; and his attorney, David Cornwell. They all left immediately after the statement was read.
Roethlisberger, who is not married, said he would fight what he called “outrageous allegations,” but said he would not discuss his private life or the lawsuit in the media.