Roethlisberger Trooper Friend Wanted Role Kept Mum

A Pennsylvania state trooper who was with Ben Roethlisberger the night the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback was accused of sexual assault in Georgia was worried the department would find out.

In a recorded interview, Ed Joyner asks a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent to let him know before she ran his name or Social Security number. He said he didn't have to let his department know if he was a witness in an investigation but his name being checked out would raise flags.

Joyner told GBI that he is a friend of the star quarterback and sometimes works as his personal assistant.

Pennsylvania State Police have said an investigation into Joyner's actions could take until August.

Reached by The Associated Press on his cell phone this evening, Joyner said he would not comment.