PER CURIAM — On September 8, 2017, the respondent pleaded guilty before the Honorable E. Loren Williams, in Poughkeepsie City Court, Dutchess County, to the crime of forcible touching, in violation of Penal Law §130.52, a class A misdemeanor. On January 18, 2018, the respondent was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 45 days and a six-year period of probation, and was directed to pay a surcharge of $200 and a DNA fee of $50. At sentencing, the Assistant District Attorney for Dutchess County, before asking the court to impose the agreed-upon sentence of a term of imprisonment of 45 days and a six-year period of probation, made the following remarks as to the origin and circumstances of the crime: “This only came to light because the victim, who is named in the charge to which [the defendant] pled guilty, who was in jail at the time, decided that she couldn’t take it anymore and came forward to investigators to disclose what the defendant had been doing to her for quite some time. Imagine how she felt coming forward as an incarcerated defendant, in jail, on drug charges and other charges, knowing that she was reporting that her attorney, who was probably one of the most well-known and respected attorneys in Dutchess County, a former police officer, a lieutenant with the Town of Poughkeepsie, she was accusing him of horrific conduct. That was not an easy day for her, and I was there the day she came forward to meet with the police, and I commend her for the strength that it took to make that report, because she told us, I didn’t expect anyone would believe me.
“We did believe her and I give credit to the Sheriff’s office for their dedication and their investigation of this case, because it wasn’t just her. Nine women in total came forward dating back to 2006, which was the earliest report that the police had received of this defendant’s behavior towards a client, but in 2006 when it was investigated, unfortunately it was her word against his, and who could go up against him?
