RENO, Nev. — The woman accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her last summer will have a difficult time convincing a judge and jury she was assaulted in the Steelers quarterback’s penthouse hotel room partly because she never reported it to police and waited a year to file a civil lawsuit.
Several lawyers and legal scholars say the 31-year-old employee of Harrah’s Lake Tahoe hotel has the added chore of taking on a casino in Nevada, where the gambling industry wields considerable clout. But she may have a chance of winning an out-of- court settlement from Roethlisberger because millions of dollars in endorsements are at stake for the two-time Super Bowl winner, legal observers say.
“The question they are going to be asked right out of the chute is why did she not file a complaint with the police?” said Dick Gammick, the district attorney for Washoe County in Reno.
Cal Dunlap, the woman’s lawyer who is the former Washoe County district attorney, has refused to comment. “The entire matter will be tried in court and not in the media,” he said.
The woman, an executive VIP casino host at Harrah’s at the time, said in the lawsuit that Roethlisberger lured her to his room under false pretenses and raped her during a celebrity golf tournament last summer. She’s seeking a minimum of $490,000 plus punitive damages.
Roethlisberger, 27, said Thursday the allegations are “reckless and false.”
Eagles name McDermott defensive coordinator
PHILADELPHIA — Sean McDermott has replaced Jim Johnson as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, two days before the team opens training camp.
Johnson, 68, took an indefinite leave of absence in May to continue treatment for a cancerous tumor on his spine. It’s uncertain whether he will return to the team in any capacity.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim Johnson and his family as they battle through this difficult time in his cancer treatments,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “I have been in constant communication with Jim and his wife throughout this offseason, and they are thankful for all the support they have received from the Eagles organization, the fans and the entire NFL community.”
McDermott, 35, served as secondary coach last year.
Favre watch goes on
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings are still waiting for word from quarterback Brett Favre with training camp starting in less than a week.
Favre’s agent, Bus Cook, was asked if a decision was coming Friday. Cook answered with a single word text-message: “Nope.”
Vikings players are required to report to camp at Minnesota State University in Mankato by Thursday. Their first practice is the following day.
Chargers release Wilhelm
SAN DIEGO — The Chargers released inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm a week before their first full-squad practice of training camp.
Wilhelm started the first five games last season before losing his job to Tim Dobbins. Wilhelm also started two games toward the end of the season. He played six seasons with San Diego, recording 247 tackles and six interceptions.
Ravens sign Bennett
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Wide receiver Drew Bennett, who played only one game with the Rams last season because of a foot injury, agreed to a one-year contract with the Ravens, who are looking for help at the position in the wake Derrick Mason’s retirement. The Associated Press
