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Roethlisberger accuser wants to settle

Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger smiles on the sidelines following the Steelers James Farriors 22 yard interception and run for a touchdown in the second quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on August 29, 2009. UPI/Archie Carpenter
Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger smiles on the sidelines following the Steelers James Farriors 22 yard interception and run for a touchdown in the second quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on August 29, 2009. UPI/Archie Carpenter | License Photo

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- A lawyer for Ben Roethlisberger Wednesday rejected a "bizarre" offer to settle a lawsuit accusing the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback of rape.

Attorneys for Andrea McNulty said they would drop the civil suit if Roethlisberger admits he raped her and donates $100,000 to a women's advocacy group.

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Roethlisberger attorney David Cornwell called it an insult to sexual abuse victims, USA Today reported.

"Ms. McNulty's contemporaneous statements and conduct prove her allegations are false," he said in a statement. "Against this backdrop, her proposal is bizarre and it insults women who have legitimately suffered from sexual misconduct. We will not participate in a destructive farce."

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported Cal Dunlap, an attorney for the Harrah's Lake Tahoe worker, said the settlement was meant to put an end to claims by Roethlisberger's lawyers that she is a gold-digger. The $100,000 was to go to the Committee to Aid Abuse Women, they said.

"(McNulty's) only interest has been, and is, to regain the dignity that was taken from her," Dunlap said in a court filing.

McNulty sued in Washoe County Court in Nevada in July, alleging the NFL star raped her while he was staying at Harrah's for a celebrity golf tournament in 2008. Roethlisberger has denied her claims and no criminal charges have been brought against him.

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