We posted earlier some basic information provided by the representatives of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in response to new charges of sexual assault.
Agent Ryan Tollner has now issued a statement regarding the situation.
“Last night, Ben and his friends met a group of women and everyone mingled together throughout the evening,” Tollner says. “We have spoken to law enforcement. Based on information currently available, an allegation was made against Ben, which appeared to be dismissed after a preliminary investigation last night. Obviously, given the prior accusation against Ben, we are skeptical of motive, but we will continue to cooperate with everyone involved.”
No charges have been filed, and it’s unclear whether Roethlisberger will be charged.
The damage to Roethlisberger in the court of public opinion could be disastrous. In this regard, folks tend to think like NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who said at his pre-Super Bowl press conference in January 2009, “You can have false accusations once, maybe twice. When you start getting to multiple [arrests], you’re putting yourself in the wrong position, you’re making the wrong decisions in the wrong places.”
Roethlisberger has not yet been arrested, and he at best has been the victim of false accusations twice. Still, plenty of people will believe that the new charges are evidence of a trend, Tollner’s skepticism notwithstanding.
The ideal outcome for Roethlisberger would be to have this situation resolved clearly and cleanly as soon as possible, with Roethlisberger at some point denying the charges directly, and not through an agent or a lawyer.