Summary: A Philadelphia lawyer pled guilty to raping his client in her home.
A seasoned attorney allegedly drugged and raped an unconscious woman in her home. He pled guilty on Tuesday to one count, as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors originally wanted to go after him for four other felony charges.
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Vincent A. Cirillo Jr. admitted to raping his 22-year-old client in her apartment last year. Prosecutors say that Cirillo, 56, was hired by the victim to represent her in a criminal matter. In August 2015, he went to her home for a meeting, and he allegedly drugged her. The woman said that she did not remember much of what happened that night and that someone later found her in bed without any underwear on.
The victim went to the hospital afterwards and reported the sexual assault to the authorities. Detectives later set up a sting where the woman met with Cirillo, and he admitted to having sex with her. He said he used a condom and had no diseases.
Prosecutors said that Cirillo also took photographs on his phone of the victim when she was unconscious, and they were going to use those images as part of the trial.
Cirillo was promptly arrested that month, and for the past year, the lawyer had maintained his innocence. However, hours before jury selection, he decided to plead out as his wife and daughter sat behind him in the courtroom.
“I had to do this for my family,” Cirillo said. “I didn’t want to risk the maximum amount of exposure I was facing if convicted.”
Despite the plea, Cirillo could still face a maximum term of 10 to 20 years in prison. Assistant District Attorney M. Stewart Ryan said he wants to ask for a state prison sentence.
Cirillo may also be registered as a sex offender and lose his law license.
Cirillo’s lawyer, Nino Tinari, said that Cirillo was going through hardship when the ordeal occurred. Tinari said, “It’s devastating.”
While Cirillo’s rape case will no longer go to trial, he is still facing a trial for other charges, also involving his rape victim. Last month, he allegedly pretended to be her new attorney so that he could obtain her confidential court records. He faces charges of identity theft, conspiracy, and forgery.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Photo courtesy of The Philadelphia Inquirer