VERO BEACH — The woman who accused Vero Beach attorney Charles Sullivan Sr. of sexual battery may still get her day in court, despite a designated prosecutor’s decision not to pursue criminal charges.
Stuart-based attorney Jerome Stone says he’s been retained by the alleged victim and that he, with his law partner Linda Capobianco, and their client are preparing a civil suit against the 82-year-old Sullivan.
“It is very disappointing to our client that the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office did not pursue criminal charges in this case,” Jerome Stone said.
While working in a suite of offices with Sullivan Sr., the woman, who Stone said hopes to continue to be identified as “Jane Doe,” claims Sullivan groped and molested her, and exposed himself to her in June. After reporting the incident to the Vero Beach Police Department, the woman wore a police wire into the office to tape what appears to be confirmation of the incident.
“It is clear that it was not consensual,” Stone said. “She was a victim that was violated by Mr. Sullivan and she tolerated it to protect her job.”
Sullivan’s civil attorney, long-time friend and business partner Louis B. “Buck” Vocelle, said he’s been contacted by Jerome Stone and is waiting to see if the lawsuit materializes and what it alleges.
Sullivan’s criminal defense team claims the actions that took place at the offices of Sullivan’s son Chuck and partner Bobby Guttridge happened between two consenting adults.
“Although Mr. Sullivan clearly exercised bad judgment, anything that transpired was absolutely consensual,” Vocelle said in a written statement on Monday. “This case has always been and continues to be about nothing more than money and greed.
