A Fulton County grand jury has issued indictments against two Marietta attorneys and their client for their roles in the illegal videotaping of a sexual encounter between the client and a former Waffle House CEO.
Late Friday, attorneys David M. Cohen and John C. Butters, along with their client, Mye Brindle, were indicted on three counts, including conspiracy to commit extortion, conspiracy to commit unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance, and unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance.
The indictments stem from an ongoing case dating back to June 2012, when Brindle, while working as a housekeeper for former Waffle House CEO Joe Rogers Jr., video recorded herself and Rogers engaging in sexual activities at Rogers? Buckhead home as evidence of alleged sexual harassment by Rogers. According to court documents, the video was taken without Rogers? consent using a video camera disguised as a cellphone.
Rogers sued Brindle for invasion of privacy in Cobb County, and Brindle and her attorney, David Cohen, countersued in Fulton County for sexual harassment. Rogers said Friday?s grand jury?s indictment against Cohen, Butters and Brindle ?has been a challenging four year journey that will now continue on both a civil and criminal track.
?The actions of the District Attorney?s office are the next step in holding those involved accountable for their criminal actions,? Rogers said.
Brian Robison, a spokesperson for Mye Brindle?s counsel, saw the indictment differently.
?Today?s indictment sends a chilling message to victims of sexual abuse and those who seek to help them attain justice,? Robinson said.
?The two attorneys indicted zealously represented their client, a victim of serial sexual abuse by her employer, Joe Rogers. These indictments revictimize the woman who dared to tell the truth about her powerful abuser and smear the attorneys who represented her. This precedent should alarm all attorneys representing the powerless who are sexually abused at the hands of the powerful. The legal system will find these charges are false, but the repercussions of this prosecution will echo far beyond this case.?
According to Rogers? attorney, Robert Ingram, Rogers filed suit against Brindle?s attorneys, Cohen and Butters, when they attempted to extort him if he didn?t settle the sexual harassment suit with Brindle.
Ingram said Cohen and Butters ?implied that unless their demands for money were met, the sex video would be used to cause my client to experience injurious publicity, media attention, divorce and destruction of families, public focus on the issues and lengthy incarceration.?
Source: mdjonline.com