Ex-lawyer accused of hypnotizing clients for sexual pleasure faces multicount indictment
An Ohio lawyer who agreed to permanent disbarment last week has been indicted on multiple counts, including rape and kidnapping, following an investigation into allegations that he hypnotized clients for sexual pleasure.
The indictment of former lawyer Michael Fine, 58, lists six alleged victims, report the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and the Northeast Ohio Media Group. He was suspended from law practice last November after a client who wore a wire recorded Fine putting her into a trance and telling her she wanted him to touch her. The Associated Press also has a story.
Fine, of Sheffield, is charged with rape, attempted rape, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, attempted sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, attempted gross sexual imposition, possession of child pornography, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
He was arrested on Friday and released on $150,000 bond. Fine’s lawyer, Robert Housel, says Fine has been getting medical treatment and “we’ll defend the case appropriately,” according to the Chronicle-Telegram.
County prosecutor Dennis Will told the Chronicle-Telegram that about 30 women came forward after initial allegations surfaced about Fine, but some had better recall about the hypnosis than others.
Court documents filed by the bar association alleged Fine told one woman during a phone conversation that she was “being made love to by the world’s greatest lover.” The woman had recorded two phone calls with Fine before she wore a wire for police, who raided Fine’s office when he made sexual comments.
The corrupt activity count is related to allegations that Fine defrauded a law firm, Will told the Chronicle-Telegram. Will said the child pornography charge relates to a small amount of the material found on Fine’s computer.
