PITTSBURGH -- A private eye who helped clear former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis before sexual assault charges were filed talked to Channel 11 on Tuesday about allegations against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger has been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman in Nevada. No criminal charges were filed against Roethlisberger. According to online court records, the civil lawsuit, which is categorized as a defamation lawsuit, was filed in Washoe County on Friday. Andrea McNulty is listed as the plaintiff. Roethlisberger was one of nine defendants listed in the online court docket report.

Louis Gentile, the retired head of the state police Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, believes the accusations are very suspect.

Gentile was hired by Bettis in 2002. A Greensburg woman accused Bettis of sexual assault after meeting the football star at a Westmoreland County bar.

Gentile told Channel 11 the investigation concluded, exonerating Bettis of any wrongdoing, and the sexual contact they had was consensual. The accuser and a relative of hers were alleged to have conspired to frame Bettis.

Gentile has great suspicions about McNulty's accusations against Super Bowl champion Big Ben.

"My initial impression is: No. 1 -- what took her so long? No. 2 -- I think it's more than a coincidence that this is announced a few days before training camp starts," said Gentile.

In addition, Gentile said the standard of proof in a civil case is much lower than a criminal case, making the suit further suspect.