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Mayor: Big Ben Case is Great for Tourism!

4/17/2010 8:25 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

The mayor of the Georgia town where Ben Roethlisberger allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in a nightclub bathroom has found a silver lining to the whole mess ... TOURISM!

TMZ spoke to Milledgeville Mayor Richard Bentley who told us he hopes the incident will draw new visitors to the college town --saying, "Anything that can draw interest to our town and make people want to visit, we would like."

The Mayor acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances of his town's new found fame, but added "If it peaks people's interest about our city, we would certainly welcome them here.”

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Does Mayor Bentley also wear a Ben Jersey? The new standard to publicy show the world you are a supporter of those who abuse women and more than likely, abuse yourself. No wife, gf, daughter, sister or mother should be caught dead being with,standing next to, or in any way being near a man wearing a Roethilsberger jersey. The Mayor is probably an abuser himself,talking the way he did about the rape that happened in his town. Disgusting. Stay away from that backwater dive.

1548 days ago


Go Ben! If you don't repair your image this year...say goodbye to Pittsburgh.

1548 days ago

Janice Wilson     

Ben wake-up and pull something more positive for your team LOL!! More Info:

1548 days ago


Who writes this stuff? It's "piques," not "peaks people's interest."

1547 days ago


It is good that Milledgeville can be now known for something other than the old state jail and mental institution.

1547 days ago

pj blogger    

Wow...a mayor who is pushing rape tourism...that says all I ever need to know about Miledgeville, Georgia.Maybe the mayor will get lucky and will get a serial killer next.

1547 days ago



1547 days ago


Agreed, wedgwood, it's "piqued." In the race for content, websites have lowered quality standards. One wonders whether any of the "writers" for sites such as TMZ were ever taught to speak and write English properly. It's certainly doubtful that they've had any journalism training.

1547 days ago


What do white men have to do to be prosecuted for their crimes. all this evidence and no charge. why are white people not crying more about their precious little white blond girl being rape. bruises cuts bleeding and still not enough evidence.

1547 days ago

Fred Farkel    

One thing's for sure. That town sure has some cheap drinks.

1547 days ago

South Beach    

Mayor, although you are no doubt happy with the increase in tourism, your choice of words is questionable. But that's this town, it's as non-sophisticated as it comes, and why this whole story was so believable from the start.

1547 days ago


Listen up you minorities! This is the difference between YOU and THEM! They get accused of rape and people not only do a half-a*sed investigation, but they then use the person to make money off of. YOU do the same thing and 95% of TMZ posts will be about you, t.v., radio, etc would be calling for your head, all day, every day. This country belongs to white people and white people ONLY!!!

1547 days ago

sjdald cidosn    

piques, not peaks

1547 days ago


So the mayor is hoping that the town will attract tourism though the young lady involved felt miserable ??!! what logic is this ?!
What is going on ? attracting tourism by any means ?!!

1547 days ago


Yeah let's go visit the town that allows those with fame or money to sexually assault women with no worries of being charged with a crime.. oh and if you are underage you can drink here too! Yeah great town.

1547 days ago

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