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- Rose alleges that investigator defamed him by claiming he raped teenage girls
- John M. Down claimed during a radio interview last year that an associate of Rose’s “ran young girls to him” during spring training camp.
- Rose associate denies making such assertions
- Rose now endorsing a Daily Fantasy Sports website FanDaction.com
Former baseball star Pete Rose has sued the lawyer whose investigative report got him kicked out of the league for gambling. He alleges that the lawyer defamed him by suggesting Rose raped under age.
Rose claims that John M. Dowd damaged his reputation and endorsement deals after making the allegations during a radio interview.
Dowd claimed, among other things, that an associate of Rose’s, Michael Bertolini, told investigators he “ran young girls” to Rose during spring training.
“Michael Bertolini told us that not only did he run bets, but he ran young girls for him down in spring training. Ages 12-14,” Dowd said on WCHE 1520 AM in an interview on July 13, 2015, referring to a longtime Rose associate. “Isn't that lovely? So that's statutory rape every time you do that. So he's just not the kind of person that I find very attractive. He's a street guy.”
Bertolini's lawyers issued a categorical denial last summer.
“Mike categorically denies the allegation – he never did any such thing, nor did Pete Rose, nor did Mike say anything to Dowd about the subject,” attorney Nick De Feis said in the statement. “The story is libelous to him and to Rose and should be retracted immediately.”
Gambling911.com last month reported that Rose was back in gambling – sort of. He is now shilling for Daily Fantasy Sports site fanDaction.com.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
