Defendant was caught in a sting after authorities were alerted. N.J. attorney accused of offering reduced legal fees in exchange for sex Watch video
Richard P.Schubach (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)UPDATE: Lawyer found dead
RARITAN -- A borough attorney has been accused of allegedly offering to represent female clients at a reduce rate in exchange for sexual favors, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
Richard P. Schubach, 58, of Stockton was arrested and charged with three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact after he allegedly propositioned a female undercover detective in a sting operation, according to a news release issued Monday.
In December, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office received information that Schubach allegedly offered some of his female clients a reduced price for his legal fees in exchange for sexual favors, authorities stated.
On Jan. 28, law enforcement sent a female undercover detective to his law office located at 1124 Route 202 in Raritan to discuss a criminal matter she was facing, according to authorities.
At their first meeting, Schubach told her to return the next day with further documentation about the criminal matter. Prior to her leaving his office, he allegedly asked her to wear something "pretty" for their next meeting, authorities said.
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During a meeting the next day, Schubach allegedly approached the detective as she sat in a chair and without permission or prompting, placed his hand on and under her blouse and began fondling her breast, authorities said.
After briefly stepping away he reportedly again placed his hand on her breast and placed his hand on her inner thigh, authorities said.
Afterwards, the undercover detective stood up and said to Schubach, "I don't like this" and attempted to leave his office. As she attempted to leave, Schubach allegedly asked her to "hold on" and as she exited his office, proceeded to expose her right breast and place his mouth over it, authorities stated.
Before she left the building, Schubach is alleged to have asked her to turn around to face him and he lifted up her skirt, according to authorities.
Schubach was arrested at the scene and was released after posting $2,500 bail with a 10 percent option.
This isn't Schubach's first brush with unethical conduct. Since being admitted to the state bar in 1983, he has been disciplined three times by the state Supreme Court, including two 90-day suspensions.
The allegations include failure to perform diligently on his client's behalf, misconduct in a personal real estate transaction with his then-girlfriend and using her funds in personal business transactions and engaging in conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation.
The investigation into this latest allegation is ongoing and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Unit at 908- 231-7100, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE". All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.