The woman who claims that she was sexually assaulted by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has faced a flood of evidence tending to show that she has fabricated the allegations for financial gain.
In an admitted effort to combat the appearance that it's all about the money (which, of course, will cause many to believe that it really is all about the money), her lawyer has offered to dismiss the case in exchange for an admission from Roethlisberger that the incident occurred, along with a $100,000 donation to the Committee to Aid Abused Women.
Per the Associated Press, lawyer David Cornwell said that the offer will be rejected.
And, frankly, that's the right decision. The evidence generated to date will make it very difficult for the woman to persuade a jury that non-consensual sex occurred between herself and Roethlisberger, which supports the notion that the case represents a money grab. So why would Roethlisberger admit guilt?
The fact that she'd drop the case in exchange for an apology and a donation to charity reflects, in our view, a desperate attempt to divert attention away from proof indicating that the claims are grossly exaggerated at best, flat-out made up at worst. But given the enormous damage such an admission would do to his image and off-field earning potential, Roethlisberger wouldn't admit to raping the accuser if she were paying him $10 million to do it -- especially since, as it appears based on the evidence generated to date, he is innocent.
As these two sides try the case in the court of public opinion, hollow stunts like this won't persuade anyone that she's telling the truth, based on the proof that has been introduced by the lawyers representing Roethlisberger and the accuser's co-workers at Harrah's. If the accuser and her lawyer hope to make people think that Roethlisberger did it, they need to come up with facts, not offers that they know Roethlisberger will never accept.
Moreover, the fact that the letter is coming to light two days before the Steelers host the Titans in the regular-season opener shows the accuser's only real leverage against Roethlisberger flows from the potential distraction the case can create -- and that she's willing to use it.
But this is a development that should only make Roethlisberger feel better about the case, because if his accuser truly believed she had been raped, she surely wouldn't be willing to walk away in exchange for a piece of paper in which the man who raped her says, "Oops. Sorry."
Roethlisberger's accuser will drop suit if he admits guilt
Posted by Mike Florio on September 9, 2009 6:05 AM ET
Permalink
53 Comments
Latest stories in: Ben Roethlisberger, Latest News and Rumors, Legal, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Legal, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
I think Ben should say, ALA Bill Clinton, "I did not have sex with that woman"!
Big Ben should counter sue her for defamation and slander.
sounds like her attorney's last hoorah
yep she's obviously trying to save face knowing he won't accept but thinking it would sway popular opinion
she really is insane
Lol Wow this chick is WACKED! Maybe the Ravens are paying to try n cause havoc.LOL
When this does go to court n they prove she lied... Can criminal charges be then brought against her?
Big Ben should do nothing! His lawyer is doing just fine.
This has been a nothing story from the start and any attention given it, other than what a lawyer needs to do to protect Ben is all that the story should get!
Ben, Thursday is the starting gun. Concentrate on bringing home number 7 Super Bowl!
WOW Florio wrote an almos pro Roethlisberger piece.
Steeler-lady:
"When this does go to court n they prove she lied... Can criminal charges be then brought against her?"
Actually, this is the one smart thing this accuser did ... keep the case out of the criminal courts. If she had filed a police report and pressed criminal charges for this alleged rape, then she could herself be charged if the defendant could prove the allegations were made maliciously and that the accuser knew the defendant was actually innocent of the crime. (You can't charge someone for malicious prosecution unless you can prove he/she *knew* the charges were bogus.)
Since she filed a civil suit instead, she can't face criminal charges when her case is laughed out of court. She can, however, be sued for defamation, libel and slander. Don't count on that to happen, though, since once he is exonerated, Ben will want to forget this whole thing ever happened.
This sounds like the Black Knight of Monty Python fame is practicing law.
No arms.
No legs.
Bleeding profusely.
Offering to call it a draw.
Florio has this one pegged. Common stunt. Make an offer that at face value says you are not after money, but that you know the other side can not accept. It's a pretty easy trick and the timing was perfect. The goal is to make Ben look like he is trying to bully some poor girl and that McNulty is only looking for closure. Luckily for Ben people are seeing right through it. Good job Florio.
I didn't realize Big Ben was dating Tila Tequila!
Andrea McNulty has nothing.
# Steeler-lady says: September 9, 2009 7:04 AM
Lol Wow this chick is WACKED! Maybe the Ravens are paying to try n cause havoc.LOL
When this does go to court n they prove she lied... Can criminal charges be then brought against her?
----------------------------------------------------------
If by criminal charges you mean perjury, no. Big Ben can do as ChildPlease! said, file a suit for defamation and slander.
I don't know who's dumber,
Crabtree, his agent, this broad, her lawyer, or blount.
Does she now know how much of a fool this makes her look like in, the logical publics eyes?
I think this nutjob has lost all dignity she had when she went for the money instead of justice, I never thought he done it to begin with ,the only thing Ben is guily of is not using better judgement, and i would have to think he has learnt his lesson, with that being said Florio, i commend you on this article , you actually told it the way to should be , it was not a smear job , (applause) and i agree with Mr lefty Ben's attys are doing a good job , but I hope he nails them both for the damage that they have caused, she had her chance to exit with dignity and do the right thing and did not take it, Sorry bout your luck, sue her butt along with her ambulance chaser ....Now Big Ben can concentrate on what he does best , winning games and getting the Steelers back to the Superbowl...
So her lawyer's plan is for Ben to publicly admit to committing a felony and make a charitable contribution.
Something about changing the nature of the case from a he-said, she-said civil case to a slam dunk criminal case seems a bit unexpected. They are full of surprises to be sure.
As much as I like the idea of things disrupting the Steelers this season, this case is getting silly. It would appear that the woman is lying, and would not win a case in any event. So now she is grasping at straws, probably to try and avoid any counter-suit.
McNutty may be crazy, but her lawyer isn't. IMO, there should be some repercussions on him as a result of this obviously baseless claim. He apparently knew she was full of it (and after the emails recently revealed - if he didn't he's a moron) and still helped her proceed with this case. It was mentioned in another post that the reason she isn't dropping the claim is because there is some clause that states she will owe money if she does, and this seems like a predatory practice to me. How can it just be acceptable that a man who is very familiar with the law is allowed to take advantage of an obviously of kilter client?
As far as this development goes, she may have well just said, "I'm full of Florio" and it would have accomplished the same thing. There is no way Ben is going to admit guilt in regards to something he didn't do, especially when this offer basically amounts to her admission to fabricating this whole claim. Criminal charges or not, she should be liable criminally for what she has done - which is attempted career homicide on Ben, as well as undermine the initial credibility of any legitimate sexual assault victims from here on out.
Way to go, McNutty, you are part of the reason so many people don't take rape victims seriously. I hope you're proud of yourself. Given how you've acted to far, I'm sure once this all blows over, you'll continue to tell people that Ben raped you because it gives you some kick in the pants that someone might actually think you're special, regardless of the reason.
zangy says: September 9, 2009 7:57 AM :
If by criminal charges you mean perjury, no. Big Ben can do as ChildPlease! said, file a suit for defamation and slander.
=====================================
Are you sure about that? I know he can't bring criminal charges against her for filing the claim, but perjury is a different matter. If she takes an oath and then lies, that's perjury plain and simple, although I doubt there would be a way to prove it unless she contradicted her own statements later.
"because if his accuser truly believed she had been raped, she surely wouldn't be willing to walk away in exchange for a piece of paper in which the man who raped her says, "Oops. Sorry"
HOW in the world would anybody know this?
have you been raped, Mr. Florio?
Maybe when someone gets raped the most important thing is to move on...Maybe it's much harder to move on when the person who raped you is denying it and facing no repercussions just moving on with his live while you life in fear of being raped again.
Do you think having money makes someone less raped? No.
Maybe she was raped and was concerned for other women who she thinks Big Ben might rape again (allegedly).
Maybe she sees him running around throwing a football lying to people's faces and moving on with his life while she's huddled down somewhere re-living a travesty.
Now, I'm not saying I believe her, and quite frankly no on knows what happened but those two, but no one (emphasis on NO ONE) is in a position to tell someone how a raped person WOULD feel if they were raped, especially with such a "know-it-all" statement.
"Surely! (because you're an expert in raped women?) if she were raped she wouldn't feel this way or that way?
Don't do it Big Ben! Its a trap
I'm just waiting to see somebody bash Ben in a comment to this article. If you do, you're an idiot. The evidence keeps mounting against that psycho woman and this is just further proof that she's wrong and now she's trying to walk away with her tail between her legs. I know there's a lot of Ben haters out there that are just jealous because the Steelers have six super bowl wins, unlike any other team in history, but get over it. The Steelers are the team. They are that great. We will win another super bowl
No arms.
No legs.
Bleeding profusely.
Offering to call it a draw.>
Perfectly stated.....and any time a Holy Grail reference can be incorporated into a story...it's a sign of true intelligence :)
lets say he agrees. then does she haul him into criminal court.
countersue or settle. now.
xgbx
Dammitall you stole my monty python line
kudos
i hope her, heather mills, mcnulty and octomom all burn together on the same level of hell
and i dont buy that hooker tila tequila's posturing for one second. that talentless piece of trash probably wouldve wrapped her car around a light pole after killing someone... and the sad thing is, if she had, she probably would manage a smile on some level b/c her name would be back in the news.
I say this as a devoted Steeler hater and someone who generally reflexively takes the accuser's side in any sexual assault case:
This woman is a lowlife. Ben oughta countersue for defamation. And then offer to not ask for a penny if she publicly admits she was trying to extort him.
False accusations like this are why so many women who are actually raped have trouble getting people to believe them. Pisses me off!
"...# Child_Please! says: September 9, 2009 6:51 AM
Big Ben should counter sue her for defamation and slander..."
He probably could, but he probably shouldn't.
The media would just spin that as well, like they do with all their stories. You know; "Millionaire QB sues Minimum-Wage Cocktail Waitress".
Nothing to be gained by a counter suit, besides, isn't she broke?
He should just get her ass fired (which is probably already a foregone conclusion), force her to seek psychiatric counseling, and slap her with a restraining order. Then demand a public apology and an admission of fraud from the stupid bitch - that oughta cover it.
Hahahahah, xgbx with the best comment ever!
Very well expressed take by Florio: this woman is clearly trying to manipulate matters by playing a transparent card she is absolutely certain will not be accepted --- yet intended to snow people into thinking it's not about the money, and she is dropping it right before the season tees up.
Pffft --- I hope people are a little more sophisticated than the brainless turds on the OJ jury, who were persuaded by transparent garbage like "if the gloves don't fit, you must acquit."
Also, even if made for the sole puporse of putting this whole thing in his rear-view mirror --- open Roethlisberger up to criminal charges (something far riskier)?
@raybin This woman is a lowlife. Ben oughta countersue for defamation. And then offer to not ask for a penny if she publicly admits she was trying to extort him
___________________________________
I agree , that would be hilarious, But i still think he should have her ambulance chaser disbarred so then he can not do this to anyone else, fame seekers is all they are
tila and this chick should probably get married
i'd watch that show, hell
I'll tell you who I really feel sorry for in all this. "Jane Doe", who 6 months from now really does become victimized by some overpaid, brain-dead, roid-raging tool of a sports figure.
Can you imagine the scrutiny she'll face in filing a rape suit after this fiasco?
tila and this chick should probably get married
Let's not lump Tila in with thsi lunatic...especially since the fact shave not come out yet and Merriman could very well be guilty.
Fatburger is guilty of being stupid as evidenced by his driving habits and all the drama he plays along with every week. Unfortunately he's not guilty of anything twith this women other than using continual bad judgement by picking up this freak.
Here is how I see it:
Her attorney says:
Her only interest “has been and is to regain the dignity that was taken from her,” Dunlap said in a motion that asking the letter be added to the court record.
However, her lawsuit was:
The suit seeks a minimum of $440,000 in damages from Roethlisberger, at least $50,000 in damages from the eight Harrah’s officials named as defendants and an unspecified amount of punitive damages.
I find it very funny that they now say all she has wanted was her dignity, and apparently at some point that amounted to $500K! What a freakin' joke! Her attorney's comment about dignity is completely laughable considering the original lawsuit.
I also noted this:
Roethlisberger and his lawyers deny the woman’s allegations. They demanded in an Aug. 19 settlement letter that she drop the lawsuit and write a letter of apology to the NFL star.
In return, Roethlisberger would release both the woman and Dunlap from any legal liability stemming from the “conspiracy to extort and defame” him.
Therefore, it appears Ben has a potential claim against both of these scumbags, not that I think he should pursue it after the rape charges are thrown out. It is a little amazing that both of them are not taking Ben's generous offer to not go after them after all this bad publicity he has had to deal with, especially initially when it was very embarassing.
It has been blatantly obvious from the beginning this skank was trying to make a quick buck with this baseless lawsuit and her attorney was the perfect sleazeball to help her.
Ben will be vindicated of any rape charge when this all plays out.
Or, maybe it's the only move they have left considering that Ben's lawyer(s) have shaped public opinion already (with Mr. Florio being a willing participant). Classic defense; paint the woman to be a slut. If it comes down to he said; she said-no credibility for the accuser. Maybe some of you (including Mr. Florio) would be the bar crowd in Massachusetts.
On the front page, Mr. Florio talks about shaping public opinion--come out with the information quickly (because that will make my rumor site more attractive). Kind of leaves fairness dying on the side of the street.
The accuser isn't dropping the case because the lawyer is one of those TV, "No fee, unless you win" type of lawyers..."
who introduced Ben to this crazy hoe? Dirk Nowitski?
Don't do it Ben!!! Counter sue her!
I tend to disagree with you on this. I dont know if shes lying or not but as some who was never raped and assuming you never been raped we have no right to assume what a rape victim would or wouldnt accept.
You kind of proved yourself wrong on this one. Firstly like you said it wouldn't just be a piece of paper saying "Oops, Im Sorry", if he said that he raped her it would be a lot more then words. It would be a loss of money, respect, and possibly career.
Secondly you said "The evidence generated to date will make it very difficult for the woman to persuade a jury that non-consensual sex occurred between herself and Roethlisberger". I tend to believe that also. Say if she did get raped if I was her and I knew I wouldn't get a monatary gain I would do what I could to try to make sure he suffered as well. If that means only having him admitt to it then fine. I won't get any damages but he will still lose out in the long run.
I know you can say well if she didnt care about money then why not just press charges its not that simple. If she can't win in a civil case there is no way she can win in a criminal case. Because like you have said before civil cases compared to criminal cases are lot easier to win because it doesnt all hinge on reasonable doubt there other factors involved.
Im not saying Ben is guilty I believe they both haven't been completely honest. Im just saying this development proves nothing and if a someone was raped I could see why they would do this if they believed they couldnt win.
"...# jamaltimore says: September 9, 2009 9:21 AM
Fatburger is guilty of being stupid as evidenced by his driving habits and all the drama he plays along with every week. Unfortunately he's not guilty of anything twith this women other than using continual bad judgement by picking up this freak...."
Says Ray Lewis' protege.
How quickly people forget that Mr. Florio was praising the accuser's attorney and his "credibility" at the begining of this suit.
Obviously he did not investigate any of the accusations before filing suit.
The court ought to place severe sanctions on the low life slimey rotten evil dirtbag parasitical damn Anti-American Commie Liberal lawyer.
Forcing him to wear a Roethlisberger jersey for every court appearance for a year is just a slap on the wrist.
First I thought this McNutty woman was bad... but now I see the real wacko slimebag here.
Her lawyer.
Seriously, your client's case is crumbling and all you come back with is "hey admit you did it and we'll call it a draw?"
Kind of like your opponent being up 42-7 in the 4th quarter driving in for another TD. You tell them "hey admit you're tired from doing all this scoring we'll both go home winners."
Apparently he doesn't care what effect this all has on his client. Do you seriously think she thought of this on her own? Way to make your client the laughingstock of the world.
One thing I haven't rad in the comments is: If Roethlisberger admits to raping her, can't the Nevada States' Attorney file criminal charges against him? Unless the settlement between the two parties states that the woman won't press criminal charges. But some states, maybe all, don't need a plaintiff to press charges if they believe (and a grand jury agrees) that a crime has taken place.
And an admission by Ben would certainly bolster that a crime has taken place. It seems pretty academic to me that Ben should flat out refuse this pathetic 'offer'
I thought dumb as a stump filed a motion to dismiss. Has the judge dismissed it yet?
This is simply an answer to the accused rapist's demand she drop the case. The answer is obviously, "hey, eat shit and die, Ben!".
It doesn't seem like Dunlap and his client are too scared of the accused rapist's dire threats of sanctions.
It is also interesting that the plaintiff's responses to the accused rapist's very aggressive attacks have been rather passive. It's almost like they are feeding him enough rope to hang himself. This aggressive stance could be very damaging if Dunlap actually has a smoking gun he is waiting to loose into the fray.
Wouldn't it be funny as hell if she had a tape recorder in her purse?
Send in Wayne Brady to slap a bitch!
BP says:
September 9, 2009 11:43 AM
Wouldn't it be funny as hell if she had a tape recorder in her purse?
---------------------------------------
Have you thought this through? A woman claiming she gets raped had the foresight to record it all for future evidence?
Come to think of it that IS pretty funny.
"...# BP says: September 9, 2009 11:43 AM..."
I'm sorry I'll never get those 10 seconds of my life back after having wasted the time to read that.
I'm somewhat reluctant to recommend you for the post of Village Idiot, as that would be far too demeaning to the rest of the self-absorbed idiots all over the world. Fact is, you seem to be the Village Idiot's much stupider, brain-damaged little brother.
To Florios-Lawyer,
Don't feel bad about the 10 seconds. I'm sure your entire life is a waste of time. But thanks for taking a minute of that worthless time to reply. Dullard.
"...BP says: September 9, 2009 12:30 PM
To Florios-Lawyer,
Don't feel bad about the 10 seconds. I'm sure your entire life is a waste of time. ..."
It is now, since I retired at 48.
I have nothing but time to waste.
"... Dullard..."
Now now, peeking at the dictionary is cheating.
Florios-Lawyer,
Getting a disability check you scammed the feds for isn't really retiring.
Dullard is a common word. I'm sure you have heard it flung in your direction many times.
So, if this case is such a dud why hasn't the judge kicked it out?
McNulty's attorney should have his bar reviewed.... the fact that he took the case public & proceeded this far without doing his own due diligence (and in the process slandering Roethlisberger) is horrible.
the only one who suffered through all this is Ben, and he gets nothing for his suffering. make her pay him for putting him through this, and dis-barr her attorney.
BP says: September 9, 2009 11:43 AM
I thought dumb as a stump filed a motion to dismiss. Has the judge dismissed it yet?
This is simply an answer to the accused rapist's demand she drop the case. The answer is obviously, "hey, eat shit and die, Ben!".
It doesn't seem like Dunlap and his client are too scared of the accused rapist's dire threats of sanctions.
It is also interesting that the plaintiff's responses to the accused rapist's very aggressive attacks have been rather passive. It's almost like they are feeding him enough rope to hang himself. This aggressive stance could be very damaging if Dunlap actually has a smoking gun he is waiting to loose into the fray.
Wouldn't it be funny as hell if she had a tape recorder in her purse?
--------------------------------------------
Ummmm, don't you think that if she had that kind of damaging evidence that she would have filed criminal charges, instead of suing for money in the first place?
Don't you find it a little bit odd that her and her lawyers only become passive after the evidence against their case mounts up?
Sure, it's an interesting tactic, but it's an obvious last ditch effort to try and keep it out of court for her.
And just so everyone knows, her lawyers filed this on the 4th and gave Roethlisberger 5 days to respond...which is today, and he hasn't responded by giving her an apology letter. I guess we'll find out what her next step is in a few days.
I'm still putting my money on she drops the case altogether.