Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Former star Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor must register as a sex offender and serve six years of probation for an encounter with a teenage runaway. The girl, now 17, said she is upset because the Pro Football Hall of Famer, 52, did not get jail time at his sentencing Tuesday.
The girl was not allowed to present a statement during court proceedings, and delivered it instead outside Rockland (N.Y.) County Court with attorney Gloria Allred at her side.
The girl — who has been identified in court and by Allred only by the initials C.F. — said Taylor should have known she was underage at the time of their encounter in May and that she was coerced into being in a hotel room with him.
"I did what he told me to do because I was afraid of what would happen if I did not," the girl said. "I am upset that he will not have to go to jail for what he did to me. My life has changed because of him."
Allred would not comment on whether they would file a civil suit. Taylor's attorney, Arthur Aidala, said the girl's statement and her relationship with Allred made it clear that "her story changed as dollar signs materialized at the end of a civil lawsuit."
Indicted on charges that included felony counts of third-degree rape and a third-degree criminal sexual act, Taylor pleaded guilty in January to two misdemeanors — sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute.
"This was a working girl who came into my room," Taylor said Tuesday. "She told me she was 19. It is what it is. I don't card them. I don't ask them for a birth certificate."
Prosecutor Arthur Ferraro said Taylor's deal did not include jail time because he "was of assistance in the field of human trafficking in several jurisdictions and with federal authorities."
Rashed Davis, who faces federal sex trafficking charges, is accused of taking the girl to the hotel and beating her when she first refused to enter the room and have sex with the man inside.
She denied being a prostitute, and said Taylor should have been able to tell she had been beaten and that she was underage.
"I believe Mr. Taylor could see my face and how young I was," she said. "I did what he told me to do because I was afraid what would happen if I didn't."
A hearing to determine what the sex-offender level was postponed until April 12. It appeared in court that Aidala will argue for Level 1 (low risk) while prosecutors are suggesting Level 2 (medium risk).
Aidala apologized on Taylor's behalf to Taylor's wife, family and fans, and criticized Allred for exposing the girl to the public eye, saying, "This young woman is being victimized once again."
The girl had hoped to read her statement in court, but Taylor's lawyer objected and state Supreme Court Justice William Kelly said victims are entitled to speak only at felony sentencings.
Taylor was arrested after the girl's uncle contacted New York City police.
When he pleaded guilty to the lesser charges, Taylor admitted having intercourse with the girl, a Bronx runaway. He said he paid her $300.
Aidala persuaded the judge to modify some of the probation restrictions generally imposed on sex offenders. For example, the judge said Taylor would be allowed to bring his young son to school or to a park. He also agreed to a 1 a.m. curfew for Taylor instead of 11 p.m.
Taylor will be permitted to serve his probation in Broward County, where he lives.
Kelly offered Taylor a chance to speak in court before the sentencing but Taylor declined, saying, "I'm fine, judge."