I am pretty sure they deleted it because of a lawyer that demanded they do so who was representing the victim. The fact that they did it means they feel there might be some culpability.
They may have believed Broaderick didn't have a case, but my point isn't to argue whether the case has merit or not, rather to raise an additional consideration. The press does not want Broaderick's story to become a news item, and a lawsuit increases the risk of press coverage. Win or lose, they do not want this case to appear in the news.