Ex-NJ lawmaker gets 5-year term for child porn
Criminal Law
A former state lawmaker who championed legislation fighting child pornography was sentenced Thursday to a five-year term for viewing nude images of underage girls.
Neil Cohen will serve the term either in prison or a mental hospital. The state Corrections Department will decide which venue. He could become eligible for release and be placed under intense supervision in several months.
Appearing pale and unsteady, Cohen did not speak during sentencing. His lawyer told the judge the former assemblyman has been suicidal and has several mental health issues, including chronic depression. He has been hospitalized for months, according to the lawyer, Mark Tuohey.
Judge Gerald Council imposed sentence in Mercer County Superior Court.
"This is a sad day," the judge said. "But for this incident, he had an unblemished record."
Cohen pleaded guilty in April.
He served 17 years in the state Legislature as a Democrat representing Union County. He resigned following his arrest in July 2008.
The former lawmaker admitted viewing images of underaged girls on computers in his legislative office and law office.
Anthony Picione, the deputy attorney general who prosecuted the case, said 34 images of girls in various stages of undress were found on the computers. He said authorities have been able to match some of the images to photos on the list of Missing and Exploited Children.
Related listings
-
Ex-New Orleans Tech Chief Pleads Guilty
Criminal Law 11/02/2010The former technology chief for the City of New Orleans pleaded guilty Monday in a fraud scheme that prosecutors said brought him more than $860,000 in bribes and kickbacks, paid by a businessman to whom he allegedly steered $4 million in city contra...
-
N.H. man due in court in Haverhill homicide
Criminal Law 11/01/2010A New Hampshire man wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing in Massachusetts is expected to face a judge.Authorities say 21-year-old Ryan Sullivan, of Derry, N.H., is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Salem, N.H. District Court as a fugitive fro...
-
Colo. pot grower plans guilty plea to drug charges
Criminal Law 10/21/2010A Colorado pot grower who tried unsuccessfully to use state medical marijuana law in his defense on federal drug charges has said he now plans to plead guilty. Christopher Bartkowicz, of Highlands Ranch, was scheduled to change his plea on Thursday. ...
Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.
Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.