Officers were with Roethlisberger
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When Ben Roethlisberger went bar-hopping in Georgia on the night he allegedly sexually assaulted a local college student, a pair of lawmen from Western Pennsylvania were on vacation with him.
Coraopolis police Officer Anthony J. Barravecchio and Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ed Joyner of the Washington barracks formed part of an entourage of Mr. Roethlisberger's close friends who were helping the Steelers quarterback celebrate his 28th birthday, which was March 2.
Neither officer has been contacted by Georgia authorities as part of the ongoing investigation into the assault accusation, Officer Barravecchio's lawyer, Michael F. Santicola, said Wednesday.
"They haven't given any statements, and they haven't been asked to," Mr. Santicola said.
Mr. Santicola described himself as friends with Trooper Joyner and said that he received a phone call from the trooper about the situation.
Mr. Santicola said he has not spoken to Trooper Joyner, however.
Although the officers have worked for Mr. Roethlisberger in the past, this time they were off duty and doing nothing more than palling around with their longtime friend, according to Mr. Santicola.
"Both of these guys are friends with Ben," Mr. Santicola said. "They went down together. They were completely sober the night of this occurrence. They're cooperating completely with whatever investigation is ongoing."
The officers were not in uniform, not providing security and not being paid, Mr. Santicola said.
Also present were Steelers tackle Willie Colon and several other friends whose identities Mr. Santicola did not know.
Both Officer Barravecchio and Trooper Joyner were inside the Capital City club in Milledgeville, the night spot where Mr. Roethlisberger is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old student at Georgia College & State University late March 4 or early March 5.
First Published March 11, 2010 12:00 am
