Judge Denies Motion to Dimiss Lawsuit Against Roethlisberger

A Nevada judge has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of raping a woman at a hotel-casino in Lake Tahoe.

Washoe District Court Judge Brent Adams also declined Thursday to sanction the woman’s lawyer, although a lawyer for Roethlisberger has said the case was brought without sufficient evidence.

Adams ruled that attorney Cal Dunlap had met the minimal standards required to avoid the imposition of sanctions in his representation of the former VIP hostess at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.

The woman has accused the quarterback of sexually assaulting her at the hotel and accused Harrah’s of covering it up.

Roethlisberger has denied the allegations and no criminal charges were filed.

His lawyers have said the fact that she never filed a complaint with police is proof she made up the story to try to secure a big payout from the National Football League star.

David Cornwell, Roethlisberger’s lead attorney, said in a statement that Thursday’s ruling suggests the judge was giving the woman “the benefit of the doubt at a stage in the proceedings where a full examination of her contemporaneous statements and conduct is premature.”