MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN STEELER LEGAL NEWS

I go out for a little MH-related business this afternoon (more on that on the site later) and I come back to find out that there were big happenings in the cases of both Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes while I stepped out. So apologies if some of this is not as timely as usual.

In the case of Roethlisberger, it appears that we could finally know what may happen in his case as early as Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., when a press conference is scheduled to be held by Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright.

Basically, it sounds like one of three things could happen:

1. Roethlisberger is not charged, and the criminal case is closed

2. Roethlisberger is charged, and the criminal case will go forward

3. The case will be deferred to a grand jury, which would not convene until July 2.

For the Steelers' sake, obviously option #1 is what they're hoping for, but #3 could be tremendously damaging to their 2010 season, as it would potentially drag out the uncertainty of Roethlisberger's situation until virtually the eve of training camp. It goes without saying that #2 would be the absolute worst-case scenario, as Roethlisberger would almost certainly be suspended by Roger Goodell shortly after that news is handed down. But speculation aside, we should have some answers within a few days.

---

In other Steeler legal developments, Santonio Holmes' attorney is claiming to have a sworn statement from a man who threw the drink at the face of Anshonae Mills on March 7, which seemingly would exonerate Holmes from any wrongdoing.

According to Adam Swickle (Holmes' attorney), the man said he threw a juice drink with ice in the face of Mills but never threw the glass. What remains unclear is the drink-thrower's relationship (if any) to Mills and/or Holmes. So we may very well have a resolution in that case forthcoming as well.

---

Finally, I had one more bit of reading that I think really pertains to some of the stories we've been hearing of late. It's about the entire sub-culture of "bottle service" and VIP rooms that go on in trendy nightclubs, and they were recently exposed in a lengthy New York Magazine article about Tiger Woods Mistress #1, Rachel Uchitel.

I try not to tell you what to read or not read very often, but if you want some genuine insight into this part of the celebrity culture, this article is a fantastic place to start. If you're like me, you may look at some of these cases in a whole new light. It's an eye-opener, to say the least.

Decision On Big Ben Investigation Due Monday [SPORTSbyBROOKS]

Lawyer: Witness Takes Blame In Santonio Holmes Case [WPXI]

Rachel Uchitel Is Not a Madam [NYMag.com]

Email your feedback, questions, and tips Mondesishouse@gmail.com