All charges of criminal and sexual harassment have been dismissed against a Paradise man in court today.
In her ruling, Judge Jacqueline Brazil said several elements of the complainant’s story were called into question or outright proved to be untrue by witnesses or police record.
BREAKING: All charges of criminal and sexual harassment dismissed against 51-year-old Paradise man John Roberts. pic.twitter.com/S2mYn09TYJ
— 𝔸𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕨 ℍ𝕒𝕨𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕟 (@hawthornandrewj) September 30, 2019
51-year-old John Roberts, a former Paradise mayoral candidate, had been accused of criminal and sexual harassment against a woman whose identity is protected by publication ban.
It was alleged he had made threats and harassing phone calls to the complainant, and repeatedly driven by, at one point forcing her to call police to her home.
However, the credibility of the complaint was called into question when security camera footage showed Roberts at home when accused of driving by, and the RNC had no record that a police complaint had ever been filed.
As well, a witness to a public confrontation suggested it was the complainant that appeared to be provoking Roberts; a position corroborated by phone calls between the two which had been recorded by the woman, but then withheld from police.
In her ruling, Judge Jacqueline Brazil said several elements of the complainants story were called into question or outright proved to be untrue by witnesses or police record. pic.twitter.com/S66SUngPyO
— 𝔸𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕨 ℍ𝕒𝕨𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕟 (@hawthornandrewj) September 30, 2019
Judge Brazil said these issues called into question the accusations of sexual assault as well, a serious criminal charge she did not feel had been supported with adequate proof.
Roberts left the court quickly without comment. Defense lawyer Rosellen Sullivan says his reputation has been destroyed, and now he is looking to rebuild.
