Hadley Palmer, a wealthy woman from Belle Haven, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to secretly recording three people, including a child, in a manner that involved sexual desire.
Palmer, aged 19, who lives in a multi-million dollar seaside mansion in Greenwich, pleaded guilty on 20 January three counts of voyeurism and risk of injury to a minor, all felonies committed at 2017. The case has now been sealed from public view by a judge, a move described as unusual by prosecutors and lawyers, according to News12.
As part of his plea agreement, prosecutor Daniel Cummings dropped the two most serious charges: employing a minor in an obscene performance and possession of child pornography. The voyeurism charges against him involved recording someone, nude or in their underwear, without their consent or knowledge, with “the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of that (accused) person or any other person.”
Many details of the case are hidden from public view. That was ruled Thursday by Judge John Blawie in Stamford, despite objections from The Associated Press. The judge said the need to protect the identities of multiple victims outweighed the public’s right to access criminal proceedings and documents, including details of complaints.
The same day she was arrested, October 25, Palmer appeared in court and Blawie accepted his application for a special parole program. State law requires that case files be sealed when such a request is filed, but the original charges against Palmer made her ineligible for the program because they were so serious.
The defendant refused to comment on her case after a recent court hearing. The daughter of a prominent hedge fund founder, Jerrold Fine, she is currently divorcing Bradley Palmer, a venture capitalist, and has been a frequent face at fundraising galas and other social events. Her attorney, Michael Meehan, did not return messages seeking comment.
Palmer agreed to serve a prison sentence of 90 days to five years, followed by 20 years of probation and registration on the state sex offender list. Judge Blawie will decide the exact sentence.
On February 4, Palmer began serving 90 days in the state prison for women, as part of the plea deal for her. The Greenwich police investigation also resulted in the arrest of an unidentified child psychologist, accused of failing to report child abuse or neglect to authorities, as required by state law.