San Diego Sheriff's deputy calls sexual misconduct accusations 'false'
A sheriff’s deputy accused of groping and fondling multiple women while on the job broke his months-long silence Thursday, holding a news conference where he denied the allegations. “These charges against me are false,” Deputy Richard Fischer told reporters outside the San Diego Central Courthouse. “I vigorously deny them. They run contrary to my DNA as a proud member of law enforcement ...”
The 32-year-old deputy has pleaded not guilty to nine felonies and six misdemeanors involving 13 women. Many of the charges are related to assault and battery under the color of authority. Fischer remains on unpaid administrative leave from the Sheriff’s Department pending the outcome of investigations into the allegations.
Aside from the criminal case, accusers have taken their claims to civil court. In all, a total of 19 women have filed claims against or are suing the county over the deputy’s alleged behavior. As of June, the county had settled four claims for a total of about $900,000, money that comes from county reserves. The remainder of the cases are unresolved.
Some of the women had encountered Fischer after calling 911 to report crimes such as domestic violence. Others had been stopped by the deputy for a variety of reasons, such as a busted vehicle tail light ... the accusers gave similar descriptions of the deputy’s alleged behavior. Some said that they were fondled during hugs initiated by the Fischer ... also noted similarities in the allegations and circumstances described in court, including the ages of the victims — many were in their 50s — and that they were vulnerable, “down on their luck,” when they encountered Fischer.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/sd-me-fischer-defense-20180726-story.html
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