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Four further counts of sexual battery and one depend of rape have been dismissed for lack of proof in opposition to William Lewald Hutchinson, 65, who starred within the Lifetime actuality TV sequence “Marrying Millions” and whose firm, Dunhill Partners, owns the Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel.
Hutchinson, who lives in Dallas, prevented jail time throughout his sentencing in Orange County Superior Court. Instead, he was positioned on three years probation and ordered to register as a intercourse offender.
In the unique grievance, Hutchinson was accused of sexually assaulting two 16-year-old women whom he introduced with him from Texas throughout a number of journeys to his Laguna Beach residence.
Prosecutors alleged in April 2021 that Hutchinson raped one of many youngsters and dedicated 4 acts of sexual battery in opposition to her. He was accused of committing sexual battery in opposition to the second woman throughout a second go to a month later.
One of the women mentioned via her lawyer, Brian Gurwitz, that she was happy the prosecution dismissed the fees in opposition to Hutchinson they claimed concerned her.
“Bill Hutchinson has at all times handled me with kindness,” she mentioned. “He by no means as soon as acted inappropriately towards me. I by no means ought to have been part of this case.”
Three ladies even have a civil swimsuit pending in opposition to Hutchinson in Dallas alleging he victimized them.
One of the ladies, who’s looking for greater than $1 million in damages and was recognized as “Jane Doe” within the swimsuit filed Friday, is a school pupil who resides in McLennan County, Texas.
She said within the swimsuit that she turned acquainted with Hutchinson on social media and commenced messaging him on Instagram.
“Jane Doe was serious about Hutchinson’s profitable enterprise profession and hoped to obtain profession recommendation from Hutchinson or possibly a connection for a job or internship,” the lawsuit states. “She forwarded her resume at Hutchinson’s request and shortly relayed her life story to Hutchinson — confiding in him about hardships she had confronted all through her life in addition to her academic and profession objectives. Jane Doe made it very clear that she sought knowledgeable relationship with Hutchinson.”
Hutchinson was conscious of her vulnerability on account of her hardships and tried to control her right into a sexual relationship regardless that she repeatedly informed him she was solely serious about a friendship and mentorship with him due to his success in actual property and enterprise, the swimsuit states.
Over time, Hutchinson organized for her to fulfill him in Dallas. On June 6, 2020, Hutchinson had his driver decide up the girl practically 100 miles away and convey her to the luxurious 16-story Virgin Hotel, partly owned and operated by Dunhill Partners.
During a gathering on the lodge, Hutchinson tried to sexually assault the girl and ordered a number of drinks, leading to her changing into intoxicated, the swimsuit alleges.
“Hutchinson then took Jane Doe to an condominium close to the lodge that he owned,” the swimsuit states. “Jane Doe was so intoxicated that she couldn’t stroll straight. Despite being clearly intoxicated, Hutchinson continued to the touch Jane Doe. Jane Doe made efforts not to enter the condominium by suggesting they go to the pool. Unfortunately, she was unable to persuade Hutchinson to go to the pool.”
Once within the condominium, Hutchinson allegedly pushed the girl down on the mattress, grabbed her hand and put it on his penis and touched her breast with out her consent, the swimsuit states.Michelle Simpson Tuege, an lawyer representing the three ladies, mentioned she is heartened a sufferer got here ahead within the Orange County case leading to a legal conviction in opposition to Hutchinson.
“I applaud the braveness of this survivor, whose bravery in coming ahead not solely led to a measure of justice for what she went via, but in addition helped shine a lightweight on the actions of a person who’s now a registered intercourse offender,” she mentioned. “It just isn’t simple to come back ahead in opposition to a public individual and stand in your reality ready years for a court docket date, however this survivor’s braveness exhibits the potential affect of each voice.”
In an interview with Fox News concerning the actuality present earlier than the legal case was filed, Hutchinson described his perception that ladies are extra mature than males, and that older males “can be a gentleman” and maintain youthful ladies.
“I’ve at all times thought {that a} actually good working relationship is the place there’s an age hole,” Hutchinson informed Fox News. “It doesn’t need to be 40 years. It could possibly be 5 years. It could possibly be 10 years. But when there’s an age hole, there’s an automated respect for the elder — her to me. And there’s an automated caring — me to her — for the youthful one.”
