Ben Roethlisberger Being Sued For Sexual Assault
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being accused of sexual assault by a woman who works at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe. There has never been any criminal complaint filed, just this lawsuit. According to TMZ the woman says that it all happened on July 11, 2008.
In the docs, the woman (who works at the hotel) claims she ran into Roethlisberger in the hotel hallway and he told her that the sound system on his television wasn't working. He allegedly asked her to come and "take a quick look" at it.
The woman claims she tried to call other hotel employees to fix the TV, but ultimately decided to go to the room to fix it herself. Once she got to the room, the woman claims she determined there was no problem with the TV -- but as she tried to leave, Roethlisberger stood in her way and "grabbed [her] and started to kiss her."
According to the report, the woman claims she was "shocked and stunned that this previously friendly man, that appeared to be a gentleman in her previous contacts with him was suddenly preventing her from leaving, was assaulting and battering her."
In the docs, the woman claims she "communicated her objection and lack of consent," but he refused to stop and began "fondling [her] through her dress and between her legs."
She then says that Ben forced her to have sex against her will.
Ben's attorney says of course that none of this happened and that the lack of a police report is evidence enough. Plus, he says the woman has been involved in a number of other lawsuits including against people at Harrah's and that she may have spent time in a psychiatric hospital.
TMZ identifies the woman by name and has pictures of her. I just didn't feel it was right to post them.
