Monday, April 12, 2010

Sources: Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged after an investigation into accusations of sexual assault by a 20-year-old woman in Georgia, sources told ESPN.

Sources confirmed to ESPN's Kelly Naqi that District Attorney Fred Bright will announce on Monday that charges will not be brought against Roethlisberger. Bright said in a statement Friday he has reviewed all the investigation reports and will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. ET Monday.

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Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged

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Milledgeville police Chief Woodrow Blue said Wednesday his department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had wrapped up their investigation into a 20-year-old college student's claim that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her early March 5 at a club in Milledgeville.

Roethlisberger's lawyer, Ed Garland, has disputed the assaultclaim and hired his own team to investigate.

"I want everyone to realize that Ben Roethlisberger has neverbeen accused of any criminal conduct by any law enforcement agencyin his life," Garland told The Associated Press Friday. "Webelieve the correct decision by the district attorney in thismatter should be that no criminal charges will be made againsthim."

An attorney for the woman did not immediately return callsseeking comment Friday. A Steelers spokesman did not have acomment.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Roethlisberger declined to answer any questions regarding the case.

It was the second time in a year that Roethlisberger has been accused of sexual misconduct. He also faces a lawsuit filed last July by a woman who says he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel and casino, an allegation he denies. Roethlisberger has not been criminally charged in either case and has claimed counterdamages in the lawsuit.

Roethlisberger did not report to Pittsburgh's offseason workouts last month. The next critical day for players is April 19, when on-field practice starts. Most of the team is expected to be on hand then.



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