Another dimension: when it’s a judge who is sexually abusing
We have often noted in our Los Angeles personal injury blog devoted to advocacy on behalf of sexual abuse victims (especially children) that no demographic is exempt when it comes to sexual predators.
That is, the sexual abuse of children and other people is sadly, a flatly egalitarian practice. Our past posts have spotlighted criminal conduct engaged in by teachers, coaches, mentors, youth leaders, clergy members and politicians. Truly, members of any occupational group can be revealed as sexual abusers, and often are.
A recent media report from outside California chronicling truly egregious sexual misconduct (but with clear relevance inside the state, given that such behavior can occur anywhere) reveals that judges, too, can commit acts that clearly identify them as abusers and molesters of the first order.
In the noted media story, a state judge was just forced to resign after myriad allegations surfaced “that he used his authority for the last 30 years to sexually prey on young men.”
Typically, those victims were defendants standing before him in a criminal capacity. Reportedly, and in exchange for dismissed or reduced sentences, they were cajoled into consenting to sexual relationships with the judge.
Relevant documents obtained by the Associated Press pursuant to an open-records request revealed multiple instances of young men photographed in handcuffs while unclothed. Investigators found “thousands of photos” of naked and partially nude males when they searched the judge’s home computers. One investigator noted that “hundreds of checks written from the judge’s personal and professional accounts” were also found. Many of those checks paid defendants’ court fines.
The judge has been permanently retired from the bench. He has not yet been formally charged with any crime, although that possibility is reportedly being investigated.
Serving clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles and Southern California area, we represent victims in a variety of civil litigation cases. If you or a loved one has been injured, turn to an experienced Los Angeles personal injury or sexual assault lawyer.
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