Riders GM Charged With Sexual Assault

((HT: CP))




Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman ((pictured, thanks Troy Fleece/CP)) has been charged with sexual assault.

The 51-year-old veteran CFL executive and former broadcaster will appear in court on February 24, Regina police said Tuesday.


Details of the allegation against Tillman, who has been general manager and vice-president of football operations with the team since 2006, haven't been released. It's alleged the incident that led to the charge happened on August 6 in Regina. The complainant, a 16-year-old girl, made her allegation on August 9, police spokeswoman Elizabeth Popowich said.



Following an investigation, Tillman was charged on January 27, Popowich said.



At a news conference at 3 p.m., Riders club president Jim Hopson said he was "stunned" when he heard over the noon hour that Tillman was charged but added that Tillman is presumed innocent until it's proved otherwise.

He confirmed Tillman remains as general manager but has been put on paid leave and will not be involved in team operations. Head coach Ken Miller will take over some of his duties, Hopson said. Tillman was home in Regina, Hopson said.

"The club is going to continue to operate on a daily basis," said Hopson, who conceded that business as usual will not be easy. "It's going to be an emotional time for a lot of folks."

Although Tillman was charged a week ago, Hopson said he didn't have any trouble with the fact that he didn't find out until Tuesday.



"I don't have a right as president of the club to have immediate information like that," Hopson said, adding he had known about the investigation into the allegations since September.

Hopson said he spoke to Tillman earlier in the day and "he seems to be doing remarkably well."
One member of the Roughriders who didn't want to be identified said the players are shocked.
Arriving in Regina midway through the 2006 season, Tillman has been popular with fans. In 2007, the Riders won their first Grey Cup championship since 1989.



Tillman was also general manager of the B.C. Lions when they won the Grey Cup in 1994.
During Tillman's tenure with Saskatchewan, the team adopted a code of conduct requiring players to obey the law, act with honesty and integrity, respect others and take responsibility for their actions.



Plans for the code came about following several high-profile conflicts with the law involving players. One player, Trevis Smith, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2007 after being convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual assault.


Some of Jim Hopson's presser from Global TV Regina is in black...

7 PM EST UPDATE: Tillman addressed the media a few minutes ago.

"I have been absolutely and totally and completely cooperative and told the truth from day one," Tillman told reporters. "That will not change and I have complete faith in the process."
He was scheduled to fly out of the country to visit his sick father in Mississippi when he "found out about this unfortunate development.”
"I cancelled that trip because from day one I have been absolutely honest and forthright," said Tillman.
Tillman was flanked by lawyer Aaron Fox, who said he expects further developments in this matter before Tillman's first scheduled court appearance scheduled for February 24 at Regina Provincial Court. However, he didn't explain much further.
"The process will unfold. I ask you to judge it as it goes forward and as the facts and the truth are told," said Tillman.

Jana Pruden and Karen Brownlee's coverage from the Regina Star-Leader and Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspapers is in black as well...