PITTSBURGH — A state trooper appealed the agency's decision to rescind his permission to work as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's assistant.

The state police did that last month as part of an ongoing internal investigation into Trooper Ed Joyner's activities on March 5 when Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault in a Georgia nightclub.

The agency says Joyner's presence at the nightclub "demeaned" the state police and was beyond the scope of the work he's been allowed to do for Roethlisberger since 2005.

Joyner hasn't returned calls to his cell phone.

State police press secretary Jack Lewis said Joyner can't work for Roethlisberger while his union grievance is pending.

State police officials didn't immediately return calls today.