Attorney Accused of Hypnotizing Clients to Make Sexual Contact Charged
08/31/2015 11:44 am PDT
A former Ohio attorney is facing 27 criminal charges in connection to allegations he hypnotized clients in order to make sexual contact, according to FOX8.
Michael William Fine was arrested Friday by Lorain County sheriff's officers, the outlet reports.
According to records obtained by FOX8, Fine has been charged with 27 counts, including:
- Kidnapping
- Sexual battery
- Gross sexual imposition
- Illegal use of a minor in nudity
Fine surrendered his license in August "on the advice of legal counsel," his attorney, Robert Housel, told the network at the time, insisting the allegations were "not true."
CWD: Attorney Accused of Hypnotizing Clients to make Sexual Contact Surrenders License
According to an announcement published on the Ohio Supreme Court website August 17, the court accepted Fine's application for resignation "with disciplinary action pending."
Fine garnered headlines in November after FOX8 reported the Lorain County Bar Association confirmed a woman reported to the Sheffield Village Police Department Fine had "hypnotized her in order to perform sexual acts" in multiple instances at his office.
The alleged victim wore a hidden camera and microphone that captured media the bar association felt confirmed Fine was using hypnosis, bar association attorney Chris Cook told the network.
According to Cook, a second woman later came forward to report she had also been hypnotized by Fine in attempt to make sexual contact.
FOX8 reports Fine posted bond.
His attorney told the Associated Press Fine's arraignment is expected to take place in early September.
Sources: FOX8, FOX8, AP, Supreme Court of Ohio