News Release. “Woman Alleges Rape by Orlando Bail Bondsman, Lawsuit Filed Today.” (02-01-10)
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News Conference with Attorney, Victim at 10:30 a.m. Today
ORLANDO, Fla. – Feb. 1, 2010 – Richard B. Schwamm, managing partner of the Orlando office of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm (HPS), will announce during a news conference today the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of a woman who alleges she was raped by an Orlando bail bondsman at a bonding agency. The news conference takes place at 10:30 a.m. today at the law firm of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, 225 East Robinson Street, Suite 475, Orlando, Fla., 32801. The victim will provide interviews under conditions of anonymity.
According to the complaint filed today in Orange County Ninth Circuit Court, the victim was sexually assaulted by Allen Robert Burns Jr. while completing bond paperwork at Michael C. Snapp Bonding Agency in Orlando, Fla. The suit, which alleges sexual assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, negligence and false imprisonment, seeks compensation for the physical injuries and psychological damages the 20-year-old woman suffered.
Burns, 36, who lives in Apopka, Fla., was arrested Jan. 20 on sexual battery charges. According to the arrest report, Burns had called the woman Jan. 19 about the status of her account. When she arrived at the agency, he demanded more collateral and threatened to revoke her bond and put her back in jail, where she had been sent on a 2009 theft charge, unless she had sex with him. She complied with Burns’ demands, according to the report. Orange County Sheriff’s deputies investigated and arrested Burns, who was released on $10,000 bond. On Jan. 25, authorities dropped the woman’s 2009 theft charge.
“This is a sad case of a man abusing his authority and position of power to instill fear and take advantage of a woman he should have been helping,” said Schwamm, an AV-rated attorney who regularly helps victims seeking civil legal remedies. “The Michael C. Snapp Bonding Agency is equally negligent by not properly investigating Burns’ background and allowing this crime to occur at its facility.”
Added Schwamm: “Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm is dedicated to helping victims seek civil justice and works hard to raise public awareness of these issues with the hopes of preventing similar tragedies from happening to others.”
A spokesperson with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has been quoted in the news media as saying that other victims are expected in this case. He has told the media that this isn’t the first time Burns has been accused and investigated for a crime, citing an alleged 2005 assault and 2008 sexual battery claim.
About Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, P.A.
Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, P.A., with Florida offices in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, is a full-service law firm known for litigating complex, multi-party cases to help individual, corporate and governmental clients achieve their goals. The firm’s trial attorneys have decades of experience in civil and commercial litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice, health care law, employment law, workers’ compensation, professional liability and appellate practice. The diverse law firm provides clients with litigation teams that reflect Florida’s unique racial and ethnic makeup. The firm, founded in 1996, is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell. For more information, visit www.haliczerpettis.com or call (407) 841-9866.
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Editor’s notes: Copies of all court filings, statutes and other documents are available.
The victim and her family must remain anonymous.
