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As Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio first report the story tonight, "In a complaint that reads like the rape allegations made several years ago against NBA star Kobe Bryant, Harrah's employee Andrea McNulty alleges sexual assault against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a lawsuit filed last week in Washoe County, Nevada. ..."

Attorney David Cornwell, however, strongly denied the allegations Monday night, in a statement released to PFT.

"Ben has never sexually assaulted anyone; especially Andrea McNulty," Cornwell said.

In the civil suit, which Cornwell, confirmed to Florio and PFT was served on Roethlisberger over the weekend -- and a copy of which NBC, Rotoworld.com and PFT staffer Gregg Rosenthal obtained, McNulty alleges that Roethlisberger asked her to come to his hotel room to fix the television, and that he thereafter forced her to have sex with him.

Roethlisberger faces one civil count of assault, one civil count of sexual assault and battery, one civil count of false imprisonment, one civil count of false pretenses, one civil count of fraud, and one civil count of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

McNulty also claims that the coworkers named in the complaint thereafter defamed her by making allegedly false and inflammatory statements, and by allegedly serving as aiders and abettors of Roethlisberger's alleged misconduct after the fact.

Cornwell, however, points to the fact that no criminal complaint has been filed, and that no criminal investigation has occurred.

"The timing of the lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct," Cornwell said in the statement released to PFT. "If an investigation is commenced, Ben will cooperate fully and Ben will be fully exonerated."

According to Florio, it's unknown at this point whether McNulty ever has attempted to file criminal charges as a result of the incident, which allegedly occurred in July 2008.

"Ben will not be baited into a public discussion about his personal life, but we will defend him vigorously," Cornwell said. "The limited value that Ms. McNulty derived from public disclosure of these viciously false allegations is the only value she will ever receive from Ben in this case."

Remember: Profootballtalk.com's reporting -- based on tips received by Rosenthal earlier today -- is the initial word. It's safe to assume we'll be hearing much, much more in coming days. So, I'd advise you not to jump to conclusions or make any decisions based on this development.

With that said, I will note that -- as Florio summed up -- no matter how the case is resolved it has the potential to serve as a significant distraction for Roethlisberger as the 2009 season approaches, especially if the lawsuit triggers a criminal probe.

Stay tuned. More undoubtedly to come.