ATLANTA — A Georgia officer who took the first report from the woman who accused Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault has resigned.
Milledgeville police Chief Woodrow Blue on Friday confirmed that Sgt. Jerry Blash resigned Wednesday. That’s one day before the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made public all documents related to its investigation of a 20-year-old woman’s claim that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her.
Prosecutors say they’re not charging Roethlisberger. Blash is the only officer who interviewed the quarterback. He acknowledged in an interview with investigators that he made some derogatory comments about the alleged victim to other officers.
Multiple calls to a number listed for Blash rang unanswered.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
ATLANTA (AP) — Investigators looking into a 20-year-old college student’s sexual assault claim against Ben Roethlisberger sought to question another woman about separate incidents reportedly involving the Pittsburgh quarterback.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation documents released Thursday show that after the most recent accusation surfaced, a 16-year-old in a youth law enforcement program told authorities he knew about incidents involving Roethlisberger and a friend’s sister.
Authorities sought repeatedly to interview the woman, who is in her early 20s, but she declined. The teen had said he believed the two-time Super Bowl winner twice made unwanted sexual advances toward the woman.
Prosecutors this week said Roethlisberger will not face charges. Roethlisberger, who faces possible discipline by the Steelers and the NFL, has denied the accusations.
A message seeking comment about the possible earlier incidents were left with his lawyer.