Ben Roethlisberger Hires Prominent P.I.
The celeb site TMZ reports that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has hired a high-profile private investigator as he battles charges of sexual asault in Milledgeville.
Charles Mittelstadt, who has worked for NFL stars including Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis and rapper T.I., has now joined Roethlisberger’s payroll, the report said.
GBI crime scene technicians returned to the Capital City Club on Thursday, where a 20-year-old college student has said Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her early on March 5.
Officials with the Milledgeville Police Department, the lead agency on the Roethlisberger case, have not released information about the investigation since holding a brief news conference Monday afternoon.
GBI spokesman John Bankhead had little to add.
“We have to do an investigation that’s ongoing and there’s nothing else to say about it,” Bankhead told the AJC.
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97 comments Add your comment
Jay
March 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
I don’t hear anyone jumping to judgment now or calling for his suspension from the league as was done during the vick saga. If Ben did the crime, then he should face the music. But he is innocent until proven guilty and deserves to clear his name in court. But he sure is guilty of poor judgment.
Rob
March 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
Kareful…Ben has the right to hire anyone he wants and from all reports, Ed Garland is one of the best defense lawyers in the area. I am a Steeler fan admittedly but if he is guilty, he has to go. This latest incident shows more poor judgement on Ben’s behalf (motorcycle wreck, rape allegation, previous drunken bar pictures) Yes he is a single man, but in the position he is in as a $102 million investment for the Steelers, myself, other Steeler fans and the team owners expect better judgement from the face of the franchise.
Ginger
March 12th, 2010
2:52 pm
To the person who said I would feel differently if it were my mother or daughter. No may mean no, but I would still hope that my mother or my daughter would be smart enough not to get drunk and go go in the bathroom with another drunk twice their size. I think it’s wrong to teach women not to take any responsibility for their actions. It’s not a perfect world and that kind of behavior will get you into trouble every time, whether no means no or not.
BUCKMASTER
March 12th, 2010
3:03 pm
Has anyone asked, W.T.F was homeboy doing in Milledgeville of all places. I mean for $20 you can pick up a skeezer at any local hotel and save yourself a lot of time an trouble. You not in Kansas anymore buddy. And them big ole country G.B.I boys gonna hang you out dry cuz…..
Dr. Phil
March 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
The addiction clinic apparently cured Tiger, and he is ready for the Masters. Perhaps Ben should enroll.
Ginger
March 12th, 2010
3:07 pm
Isn’t Milledgeville near where his lake home is, and he went there for his birthday?
Willie Martinez
March 12th, 2010
3:22 pm
The way this dirty skank takes down QB’s, wish I recruited her.
Yoda
March 12th, 2010
3:26 pm
Fumble…..1st and Twenty………..Years!
mike57
March 12th, 2010
3:29 pm
You cant compare this to the Vick incident..Vick was fighting, killing,and torturing animals,and was found GUILTY..
This is still only an accusation against Ben..Any Woman can calim anything they want,but they have to be able to prove it..
So far,no one has proven any of these allegations to be true..
Innocent until proven otherwise..
bob
March 12th, 2010
3:30 pm
I wasn’t there, so I shan’t judge either.
But this happened in a public place, not after she went back to his place.
reality
March 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
Funny how I don’t see any THUG comments like i did with another QB of a different race.
Dbalcer
March 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
To Ginger you are judging the girl and no nothing about her character. I don’t care if she was drunk no means no. A person doesn’t have the right to rape someone because they got drunk. No where has it been released that she was drunk or even had anything to drink. Just because she was in a bar does not mean she was drinking. Who says she went to the bathroom with him-no could have followed her and she was alone in a bathroom unable to fight him off. I find it intersting that the more facts that come out the worse Ben looks and now he is hiring a P.I. to try to dig up dirt on the girl. Also things can be put into drinks that render a girl helpless in those type of situations. The media and regular people are victimizing this girl again. It is no wonder rape victims hesitate to report the crime with the type of comments being heard here and from women no less.
Iron Mike
March 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
I gots your back Ben.
F. Lee Barely
March 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
I ain’t sifting through this mess, but does the Duke Lacrosse debacle ring a bell? Let’s see what CSI Milledgeville turns up before we render a verdict either way. Sexual assault, date rape, etc. is SERIOUS BUSINESS. and let’s not forget that “stupid can be expensive, but it ain’t against the law”
Kobe B.
March 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
She was probably asking for it.
Bendaddy
March 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
Ben Roethlisberger is a thug.
The Duke Lacrosse Team
March 12th, 2010
3:40 pm
Us too!
Big Ben
March 12th, 2010
3:42 pm
She smelled like rotten octopus.
Mel Kiper
March 12th, 2010
3:45 pm
Like Tebow, Ben will have to switch to being a receiver next year.
Big Ben
March 12th, 2010
3:47 pm
We all know I don’t wear a helmet so there should be evidence if I really did poon her.
Wilt Chamberlain
March 12th, 2010
3:48 pm
I gave 20,000 times. If he starts receiving, the record should have an assterik.
reality
March 12th, 2010
3:49 pm
Big Ben is in some serious doo-doo. The fact that the GBI was called in means this is really serious. As a former police officer I can assure that the GBI will not botch this. His lawyers will not be able to claim a rush to judgement, further there may also be several counts of supplying minors with alcohol, the bar reciepts and videos will tell that story.
@ appropriately named Dick
March 12th, 2010
4:08 pm
Who are you to sit in judgement of this girl? Her behavior is suspect at best but nothing she did justified her being assaulted by a sexual predator. Anyone who says that she deserved what she got is an idiot.
After Money
March 12th, 2010
4:33 pm
Innocent Until Proven Guilty…..
What Ben lacks is common sense, but I’m not sold on his being guilty. The guy is worth a lot of $$$. The last accuser went straight to civil trial wanting money, if he had been guilty of rape, why not file a criminal case? Because she wanted money.
I think this is more of the same, only this girl was smart enough to go the criminal route first. Guarantee there’s a suit for money coming.
jerry
March 12th, 2010
4:33 pm
Ginger: Who said she “went” to the ladies bathroom with BR? Could he not have came in uninvited?
jerry
March 12th, 2010
4:37 pm
I have read that the police are going to ask Ben for a dna sample. There would be no reason to do that unless there was foreign dna found on the girl. Now Ben has already stated that he did not have sex with her so if the dna turns out to be his, then he is a liar.
Dan
March 12th, 2010
4:41 pm
Jerry
Could be she had skin under her finger nails
Dan
March 12th, 2010
4:47 pm
Lots of angles to look at this from, but it just smells pretty bad at a gut level
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
March 12th, 2010
5:03 pm
Amazing how anyone who accuses a professional athlete is lying, looking for money, a slut, etc. Tiger Woods just talked about his feelings of entitlement because of his position. You really don’t think some of these other people feel the same way? Lionized since childhood, women and money thrown at them, passes on bad behavior and different rules? None of us has such a perfect past that a private investigator hired to dig up dirt or a dishing frenemy can’t get questions raised about us. None of us was there. Let the criminal justice investigators do their job and see where this takes the case. Exonerating someone by publicity just because they get a seven figure salary for entertaining us is not fair, just star blind. And just because there is no prosecution doesn’t mean someone is innocent; there might not have been enough evidence to convince a jury, many of whom still hold sexual assault victims to a different standard than a mugging victim. If the Roth is indeed innocent, charges should be filed against his accuser. Alcohol and flirting and being in a club are not excuses to take advantage.
That Guy
March 12th, 2010
5:07 pm
@ Ginger;
You seem very wise with your thinking. Unfortunately, people are stupid, people use bad judgment and people don’t want to take responsibility for their actions. The way of the world these days is very litigious in nature. Everybody is looking for a payday. The girl is every bit as responsible and stupid as the guy.
Bonzo
March 12th, 2010
5:12 pm
Please the Steelers fan who said he had an investment in BBR, please you don’t exist as to the world of professional sports. That’s the trouble with fans they live their lives through athletes who end up disappointing them. BTW, he hasn’t been convicted of anything EVER
sane jane
March 12th, 2010
6:09 pm
Two days ago when Roethlisberger conceded “contact” but said there was no “intercourse”, this should have told any thinking person that she had his DNA somewhere on her / in her.
(under her fingernails, yes seminal fluid, hair, etc.)
Jerry, you probably shouldn’t be crying “liar” when you don’t even seem to know how this story has unfolded.
sane jane
March 12th, 2010
6:19 pm
Even if no assault occurred, BR is showing reckless behavior and bad judgment. After your first public accusation (even though it didn’t materialize), you’ve not only lost the benefit of the doubt with most people, you’ve also become a target for unscrupulous types who’d sue/settle for a payday.
He does wheelies and endos and goes 110 mph on his bike without a helmet? Terrible judgment. (off the field, at least)
Melanie
March 12th, 2010
6:26 pm
This is what I think happened…the girl got mad because she wanted Ben. He showed no interest so she decided she would get him back by making up a story. Now just like the other she wants $$$!!
PS I am a woman. I have come across several women looking for a free pass in life…sad but so true!!
Connie
March 12th, 2010
7:24 pm
I’m a woman, I work at a college with 20-year-old women, and I totally disagree with the idea that the Georgia woman is after Ben’s money. Ben was totally out-of-line. I’m a long-time Steeler fan, but this is shameful. Ben’s behavior affects much more than his immediate gratification and money.
C
March 12th, 2010
8:17 pm
This is about MONEY and nothing else. This guy in no way needs to do anything illegal to get with woman – he’s a freakin high profile nfl QB and everybody knows it. Definitely give the benefit of the doubt to both parties but unless someone gets charged with a crime then I don’t believe the woman.
AAA
March 12th, 2010
10:16 pm
Whether it happened or not is no longer important. BR’s group will drag that girl through the mud to the point where she will drop charges no matter what the truth is. Money trumps everything. To all the people saying she’s after his money, could it also be where there’s smoke there’s fire? 2 diff women have complaints against him (and yes I know the other one isn’t criminal but is civil). He probably got away with a lot of stuff in colllege being the BMOC. I would not be surprised if other stuff came out.
smackerjax
March 12th, 2010
10:17 pm
Ben is guilty of poor judgment. Gee, why hire the best lawyer and team money can buy? How about the fact if someone decides to say they sexually assaulted you (all men out there) it’s her word against yours. He’s looking at 20 years in prison. I’d say that’s a pretty darned good reason, that doesn’t mean he’s guilty. He’s a target, just like every high profile person in the public eye. Don’t think for one minute, this girl isn’t going to profit from this, in one way or another. Whether he is guilty or not.
Just Wondering
March 12th, 2010
10:50 pm
Melanie, I read that Ben said he did not have sex with “that girl” because it wasn’t consummated. Hum, shades of Bill Clinton, I would say. What exactly did Ben mean? Ben has bought the Atlanta attorneys who have a history of getting things done for high profile athletes. Might as well sell your house at Reynolds Plantation, Ben.
Bros B4 Hos
March 12th, 2010
11:21 pm
Sounds more like she got all pseudo offended by a proposition, he told her to leave, then she gets all upset about being kicked to the curb and her friends convinced her to cry rape. Typical little entitled sorority ho. Why else would all of her “sisters” be told to take down their Facebook pages where they had party pics of the wannabe “victim” and said that nothing really happened to her?
Rawshid Abdul-Salaam
March 13th, 2010
8:13 am
AJC has reported that Charles Mittelstadt worked for Ray Lewis, Charles did not in fact work for Ray Lewis, He worked for one of the co-defendants who was represented by attorney Bruce Harvey. The Investigators for Ray Lewis were; Joe Pagani and Rashid Abdul-Salaam. Joe and I worked tirelessly finding the facts which ultimately exonerated Mr. Lewis. Further Rashid Abdul-Salaam worked exclusively on Mr. Lewis’ civil case to its conclusion. Charles is a great friend and colleague I’m sure that he would want the reports about him to be accurate and true.
joetheplumber
March 13th, 2010
9:07 am
I HOPE SOMEBODY GOES AND PROTEST Ben Roethlisberger FOR RAPING WOMEN LIKE HE’S Pepe Le Pew!!!!! and Mark McGuire too sense you missed heckling him because he left before you found out. If Ben can play then Adam “Pacman” Jones can to. They gave pacman an “Outside the Lines” report but Floyd Landis an Ben get a line across the screen. Look at the leader of 2 Superbowls for the Steeler taking Pu$$$y but Nancy Grace comes out for Tiger Woods, Chris Brown, Kobe, Vick, Kanye West and even Charles Barkley but no Roethlisberger media monster to feed!! Where is Roger Clemens’ “Game of Shadows”. You haters are funny like that. The media monster is chasing Glenn Beck’s viewers and rating. I see now. Bottom line is that if Ben can be the face of a franchise then I think Adam “Pacman” Jones can play and Vick hurt dogs but Ben rapes women!!!!!! Pacman Jone was never been charged nor has Marvin Harrison but they got the media’s guilty until guilty treatment. Just accused. As big as domestic violents was with Chris Brown and Kobe, but this guy is accused of raping two women(the media didn’t tell us about the first one until a year later?) Let me guess it just sliped your mind. Yah right. Tiger Woods cheated and people act like he raped all the women involved. (his wife and the mistresses)
miss marta
March 13th, 2010
11:16 am
girls and women everywhere need to recognize that, regardless of whether that guy showering you with attention is a celebrity, complete stranger, reconnecting on facebook, or that annoying friend-in-waiting, almost all men are in it for sex – hit it and quit it – that’s it! men looking for cheap easy sex in a bar or hotel don’t want to be your friend afterwards. they’re not looking for an emotional connection. they don’t want to make love, they probobly don’t even want to look you in the face, they just want to put it in something warm and be done with it.
i feel for this girl, but she’s 20 in a bar and obviously drinking. i’m sure her judgement was on autopilot. and it’s an awful lesson to be learned, but if there is a lesson to be learned it’s for women to not give it up unless your damn sure you can live with the potential consequences.
i’m praying for you, whoever you are. and i’m shaking the mom finger at ben. you’re no gentleman, you’re obviously not that smart, have fun rehabbing your failing public image, but most of all, if you want to treat a woman like crap, then order up a hooker.
peace.
Milli Vanilli
March 13th, 2010
2:56 pm
Both parties showed poor judgment but one was an underage student and one was a grownup and supposed professional athlete.
These NFLers think the world is their molehole. Take it from one who knows — it still isn’t ok to molest a minor, not even if it’s ok with the minor. If you happen to be two feet and 200 pounds heavier, double shame on you.
Lisa
March 13th, 2010
5:02 pm
If you were being accused of a crime, wouldn’t you hire the best attorney your money could buy? It would be foolish if you didn’t. Both used terrible judgment. He needs a bodyguard EVERYWHERE he goes. He should especially never be alone with a female. She was drinking, apparently drunk and buying her own drinks (fake ID). She did not name him in the police report, only gave his exact NFL.com stats, 6′ 5″, 241 lbs….very odd. He admits to having contact with her, not intercourse, and he states that she fell and hit her head. It sounds as if perhaps an oral act was occurring and she may have lost her balance, especially if she was drunk. If this did occur it would make sense that his DNA would probably be on her person. It also further proves he needs a full-time babysitter and further IQ testing.
There is no way to know who is telling the truth. It is just sad that two people were drunk and utilized NO judgment. It is also sad that her friends…and his…allowed them to go off alone. There are several guilty parties here. Yes, there is personal responsibility, but there is nothing wrong with looking out for your fellow man, and woman.
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Jeff
March 18th, 2010
4:30 pm
She is 20 and drinking at a bar… I am sure she is after anything she can get including attention of an profeesional NFL star… They have names for women like this…