A former city juvenile justice counselor was convicted Friday of sexually assaulting two teen girls under his care in a courthouse, but was acquitted of charges of raping a third girl. Tony Simmons’ accusers testified that Mr. Simmons, 47, abruptly began fondling them after taking them aside in the Manhattan Family Court building. At the time, they were 15 and 16 (NYLJ, Dec. 8, 2008).
The case sparked an outcry from Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. and women’s rights activists after Mr. Simmons pleaded guilty to rape and other charges in September and was promised 10 years probation and no jail. Acting Supreme Court Justice Cassandra Mullen rescinded the deal last month because she said Mr. Simmons had shown a “disturbing lack” of remorse during an interview with the Probation Department. Mr. Simmons went to trial before Acting Justice Carol Berkman (See Profile).
