“Hypnotism 101? isn’t required in law school, but it’s recommended…

…he might be Michael Fine, 57, a Sheffield, Ohio attorney who has an even more effective method for raping women that the Cos’s drug-and-drink trick.  Police say that Fine convinced female clients to let him hypnotize them, and then had sex with them while instructing them to forget everything but their legal discussions. He  agreed to have his law license suspended temporarily while the Lorain County Bar Association and  the Ohio Supreme Court deal with the results of the police investigation, or perhaps until he can hypnotize all of them and make them forget the whole thing. Or believe they are chickens or something.

Fine allegedly told the women that his hypnotic machinations were a meditation and relaxation technique that he used to help his clients. Bear with me: I don’t want to make light of rape, but this whole story sounds like a really silly Charlie Chan movie. Unfortunately, it appears to be true.

The police reported that one female client recorded two telephone conversations with Fine, her lawyer, after experiencing “strange memories and feelings” after her meetings with him. She would be unable to recall substantial portions of the meetings, noticing that her clothes and bra were out of place “and her vagina was wet.” In the recorded calls, Fine first determined that she was alone, then placed her in a trance to “induce  multiple orgasms.” He used code words, and told her that she was “being made love to by the world’s greatest lover.” Then Fine told her to forget everything but their case discussion.

After recording two such  conversations—I wonder how  he billed for them: the entire time, or just the parts she remembered?— the police asked the client to wear a wire. She went to the Fine’s office—he told her to bring a sex toy. (Incidentally, if your lawyer tells you to bring a sex toy to your appointment, there is probably an ethics problem. You’re welcome.)  When Fine hypnotized the woman  and began touching her, the police burst in.

A second female client has reported similar treatment.

Imagine, a hypnotist-lawyer! If he could just keep his hands off his clients, think how persuasive he would be in front of a jury.

Of course, that would be unethical…

___________________________

Pointer: Res Ipsa Loquitur

Facts: Northcoast Now1 , 2