A judge has halted proceedings in the sexual assault suit against Ben Roethlisberger pending the outcome of an appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court seeking a change of venue by the Steelers quarterback and his co-defendants.

Washoe County Judge Brent Adams issued the stay yesterday. In September, the judge denied a motion to move the case from Washoe to Douglas County after ruling that one of the defendants resides in both counties and could therefore be sued in Washoe.

Mr. Roethlisberger appealed the decision Oct. 19. The appeal is in its early stages.

Mr. Roethlisberger is accused of raping a former Harrah's Lake Tahoe VIP hostess during a celebrity golf tournament in July 2008. The resort is in Douglas County. The 31-year-old woman sued Mr. Roethlisberger, 27, and eight current or former high-ranking Harrah's employees, accusing them of covering up the alleged incident.

Mr. Roethlisberger has denied the allegations.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette does not name accusers in sexual assault cases.

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