Ex-N.Y. Top Judge Indicted in Harassment of Socialite
Sol Wachtler, former chief judge of New York’s highest court, was indicted Monday on five counts of extortion, mailing threatening communications and making false statements to a government agency in connection with his alleged harassment of New York socialite Joy Silverman.
Wachtler, 62, was arrested almost two months ago after allegedly stalking and attempting to blackmail Silverman, his former mistress, after their affair broke up. Silverman, 45, a fund-raiser prominent in Republican circles, had reported the alleged actions to the FBI.
In announcing the indictment, U.S. Atty. Michael Chertoff of Newark said that Wachtler used “his power, influence and resources as Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals to obtain information to facilitate and promote the extortion scheme.”
If convicted of all five counts, Wachtler would face a maximum of 16 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines.
Wachtler’s attorney, Charles Stillman, said that his client would plead not guilty by reason of insanity to all of the charges. Stillman would not elaborate on the nature of the psychiatric illness suffered by Wachtler.
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