Big Ben accused of sexual assault

Oh isn’t this cute? Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is being accused of sexually assaulting a Harrah’s employee. Andrea McNulty alleges in a civil claim that Big Ben asked her up to his room to help fix the television (ok, like what Super Bowl winner can’t fix a TV?) and then he forced her to have sex with him.

There are numerous other employees named in the civil suit, and she claims they defamed her and helped cover up for Big Ben.

Big Ben’s lawyer, David Cornwell, denies the allegations.

“Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone; especially Andrea McNulty,” Cornwell said.

Ben is facing one civil count of assault, one civil count of sexual assault and battery, one civil count of false imprisonment, one civil count of false pretenses, one civil count of fraud, and one civil count of intentonal infliction of emtional distress.

Does anyone else think it’s interesting that no criminal charges were ever filed? Why wouldn’t she have called the police as soon as she could have? Rape is a very, very serious charge, she does know that she could go after him in criminal court and then sue him, right?

“The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct,” Cornwell said. “If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated.”

Those of you who regularly read this blog know that we aren’t huge fans of rape, but something stinks here. And while we think rapists should get booked to the fullest extent of the law, we also think that those who make false rape claims should be subject to the same punishment as those who are convicted of sexual assault. Harsh? Maybe. But these kinds of claims can convict someone in the court of public opinion and damage them for years to come.