Retired N.Y. Judge Gets 18 Months for Bringing Prostitutes to Fraternal Meeting
After pleading guilty in federal court last year to transporting prostitutes across state lines to a meeting of a national men’s fraternal club of which he is a member, a retired New York Supreme Court judge was sentenced today to an 18-month prison term.
Referring to Ronald Tills, 74, as “a real Jekyll and Hyde” and implying that he had not shown sufficient remorse despite his in-court apology for the “possible harm” he caused to victims, U.S District Judge William Skretny focused on the damage Till had done to the women he recruited to work as prostitutes at outings of the Royal Order of Jesters, reports the Buffalo News.
In particular, Skretny said Tills, who was known for the tough sentences he imposed on defendants, had behaved badly toward one undocumented immigrant Skretny mentioned by name who was recruited as a prostitute by Tills after she appeared before him in his courtroom, according to the newspaper.
“I view, and I think society views, this as particularly disgraceful,” said Skretny at one point. “Coco is a real victim in this case, and regrettably, she’s not the only one.”
Related earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Retired N.Y. Judge Pleads in Federal Prostitution Case”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge’s Law Clerk Gets 4 Months, Loses Motor Home in Prostitution Case”
