Lawyer Disciplined for Sexting Minor
WARNING: This blog could make you sick.
A 34-year-old Pennsylvania attorney had a sexting relationship with a 14-year-old girl two years ago. According to court records, he tried to seduce her, sent her pictures of his penis and masturbated for her on "Face Time."
He pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of corrupting a minor last year and was sentenced to less than two years. He won't be a jail house lawyer, however, because he has been suspended from law practice for three years.
Felony Charges
The Pennsylvania attorney, Jeffrey Toman, stipulated to discipline based on his conviction. The state Supreme Court, however, also considered the criminal complaint and three felony charges.
The court cited disciplinary rule violations, including rules against acts reflecting adversely on a lawyer's fitness to practice law or prejudicial to the administration of justice. That's because, in part, Toman represented the minor's mother at the time.
He was handling a custody dispute, and asked the mother for her child's phone number to talk about the case. He soon began asking her questions about sex, and they progressed to exchanging sexual photos.
Police said Toman also wanted to come to her house when she was alone. The teen stopped communicating with him because she was afraid of getting in trouble, and later told her mother.
Psychological Help
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel recommended a three-year suspension. The recommendation noted Toman had no contact with the minor, had no prior record, and accepted prison time for his crime.
The suspension order did not mention psychological counseling, but Toman knew he needed it. In one of his texts, he said as much. He asked the teenager not to turn him into police and ruin his life. He said he would seek counseling.
Related Resources:
- Mandatory Reporting Laws: Child Abuse and Neglect (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
- Attorney Busted for $23M Auto Insurance Fraud Scheme (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Michael Cohen: Cooley Law School's Problem Right Now (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)