The civil lawsuit filed against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by a woman claiming that he sexually assaulted her has been reassigned to a different
judge in Washoe County Court in Reno, Nev. According to one of the attorneys involved in the case, the request for a new judge was made by Calvin R.X. Dunlap, attorney for Roethlisberger’s accuser. Roethlisberger is accused of sexually assaulting a 31-year-old woman employed at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe while he was staying there for a July 2008 charity golf event. The woman also sued eight current or former employees of Harrah’s. The Post-Gazette does not name alleged victims of sexual assault. Court officials yesterday said that the case, originally assigned to Chief Judge Jerome Polaha of the Second Judicial District Court, Department 3, has been reassigned to Judge Brent Adams of Department 6. Judge Adams will rule on motions to dismiss and change-of-venue requests submitted by the defendants. No hearings have been set. Attorneys in Nevada are permitted one pre-emption of a judge in a case without explanation. Brad Johnston, attorney for one of the Harrah’s employees, said the pre-emption came from Mr. Dunlap.
Mr. Dunlap and other attorneys in the case could not be reached for comment.