An attorney from Hawaii was described as a ‘dirty old man’ by a judge for licking the ear of a client. Lawrence McCreery, a 64-year-old attorney in Kauai, was found guilty of harassment on Thursday following the conclusion of a bench trial. McCreery was found guilty after a former client testified that the back of her right ear was licked by McCreery when the two were discussing her child custody case.
According to the Kauai prosecuting attorney’s office, the woman was told by the attorney, “You look so good,” and “Too bad you’re married.” The woman claimed that the attorney made a ‘weird sound’ and then hugged her body tightly prior to licking her right ear. McCreery testified in the bench trial and said that he did not lick her and that she initiated the hug between the two.
Frank Rothschild, the Per Diem Fifth District Court Judge, ruled that there was no evidence that the woman created the story. McCreery had a license to practice law in Hawaii since 1975. He has been ordered to pay a fine of $250, according to prosecutors.
“Quite frankly,” Rothschild said, “these are the actions of a dirty old man.”
The attorney for the defense, Michael Soong, said that he is planning to appeal the ruling from the judge.
