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. ...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.