Pete Rose files defamation suit against John Dowd over statutory rape accusations

Gabrielle McMillen

Pete Rose files defamation suit against John Dowd over statutory rape accusations image

Pete Rose has filed a defamation lawsuit against former lawyer John Dowd for alleging that Rose had sexual relations with underage girls, NJ.com reported.

Rose was furious last summer when Dowd, one of the prosecutors instrumental in his lifetime ban from Major League Baseball, accused him of being sexually involved with girls who were minors, which is statutory rape, when he was a player and manager for the Reds.

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"We filed because Dowd's statements are false and deeply offensive," attorney Ray Genco told NJ.com. "Regardless of what John Dowd thinks of Pete Rose as a person, a ballplayer or even a gambler, none of that justifies Dowd's ugly accusations of pedophilia."

During a radio interview, Dowd said a former associate of Rose's told him that Rose had sex with young girls at one point.

"Michael Bertolini told us that not only did he run bets, but he ran young girls for [Rose] down in spring training," Dowd said. "Ages 12-14. Isn't that lovely? So that's statutory rape every time you do that." Rose responded by pointing out that he had his family with him at spring training and called the claims "shocking" and "unbelievable."

Dowd later claimed his statement was "blown out of proportion."

Dowd was hired as a special counsel by then-MLB commissioner Bart Giamatti to investigate Rose for illegally betting on baseball. The Dowd reported concluded that Rose had been betting on games for years, which led to his lifetime ban from the league.

Gabrielle McMillen