Ga. authorities won’t comment on Roethlisberger attorney claim that DNA request was withdrawn

Attorney: Police no longer want Roethlisberger DNA

ATLANTA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says it’s not commenting on an attorney’s statement that a request for a DNA sample from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been withdrawn.

Bureau spokesman John Bankhead said Wednesday that he could not comment on a statement by Ed Garland, an attorney for Roethlisberger who told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that the bureau withdrew its request a week ago.

Roethlisberger is accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student at a nightclub in Milledgeville on March 5.

Roethlisberger has not been charged, and Garland has disputed the assault claim and hired his own team to investigate.

(This version CORRECTS that GBI is not confirming it has withdrawn its request for a DNA sample from Roethlisberger but is instead not commenting.)