• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Prep school rape case from 2014 comes back to haunt Biden’s latest troubled nominee
Economy

Prep school rape case from 2014 comes back to haunt Biden’s latest troubled nominee

by February 16, 2023
by February 16, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

One of President Biden’s judicial nominees faced brutal questioning Wednesday during a Senate confirmation hearing for the role he played in defending a New Hampshire prep school in a famous student rape case from 2014 — a role that could scuttle his nomination.

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, GOP senators grilled Michael Arthur Delaney, who is nominated to serve on a First Circuit court, for his role as defense attorney for the elite St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, during the case against Owen Lambrie. When he was 18, Lambrie was accused of raping a 15-year-old student, Chessy Prout.

The contention in the hearing stemmed from a motion that Delaney filed during the 2014 court proceedings that could have required Prout, who was a minor at the time, to have her anonymity lifted.

‘You filed a motion that sought to strip her anonymity,’ Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., charged in the hearing.

‘You told the court that it should happen because you didn’t like the time at which her counsel filed their complaint because it put your school at an inconvenience. They had to answer reporter questions, you said. Frankly, that seems to me like a small burden to bear after what Chessy went through,’ he said.

‘I’m astounded you’ve been nominated. I can’t believe we’re sitting here having this conversation today,’ Hawley added. ‘People who put sexual assault victims through this kind of torture shouldn’t sit on the bench.’

Delaney defended his position by saying the motion he filed was in the context of a back-and-forth between lawyers about whether Prout could stay anonymous and whether Prout’s legal team would agree to not discuss the case in the press. He said it was not ‘in any way intended to intimidate any of the parties to the case.’ The motion was ultimately withdrawn, and Prout chose to come forward publicly on her own.

But Republicans rejected that explanation.

‘You made a decision here… to try to strip a young girl of her anonymity. And you effectively succeeded, because you bullied her into it,’ Hawley claimed. ‘So she, unwilling to be intimidated by you, went forward and revealed her own name.’

Prout submitted a letter to committee opposing Delaney’s nomination, from which Hawley read excerpts aloud.

‘I remember so clearly reading Michael Delaney’s motion from front to back when I came home from my new high school one day, processing what it meant,’ Hawley read from the letter. ‘And then defiantly stating to my parents that after everything I’ve been dragged through from anonymous death and rape threats on the internet, to the betrayal of and backlash of my closest friends. I wasn’t gonna let Michael Delaney’s dirty tactics bully me – then 16 years old – into shame and silence.’

‘When survivors of sexual assault, harassment and abuse come forward to seek some semblance of justice, there is an army of attorneys with a tried and true playbook of tactics to discredit, pressure and manipulate survivors and victims into silence,’ Hawley read from the letter.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., noted that Prout’s parents were in the audience at the hearing.

‘You and your daughter have been victimized now three times,’ Cruz said. ‘First on that horrific night. Secondly, when Mr. Delaney representing the school went into court, and tried to strip your daughter’s anonymity, tried to out her against her wishes. And third, when the Biden administration chose to reward him by nominating him to the court of appeals.’

Cruz added that ‘there is a reason that virtually every Democrat skipped this hearing. They’re embarrassed about this nomination.’ At least seven committee Democrats were not present at the hearing.

Cruz read another portion of Prout’s letter, which said, ‘If Michael Delaney is confirmed, if an attorney who has brazenly intimidated a minor victim of sexual assault is given the distinct privilege to serve as a judge for the United States Court of Appeals, you are telling victims and survivors that you not only approve of victim intimidation tactics, you reward their enactors with one of the highest legal appointments in the state of Massachusetts.’

Delaney said that he hopes the committee will ‘consider the totality’ of his 30-year career for his nomination.

‘I have spent nearly 30 years in my legal career, half of that in public service,’ he said.

 ‘In all that I did, I would ask this committee to consider the totality of my record over nearly 30 years as it reviews my qualifications,’ Delaney added.

Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Chicago Pro-Palestinian groups reject White House requests to meet before primary in strongly-worded letter
  • JD Vance vows Trump would not impose federal abortion ban, veto it if comes across desk
  • Pro-Palestinian protesters seen shaking White House gate vandalized with red paint: ‘F–k Joe Biden’
  • Taiwan president on Reagan’s support during visit with US delegation: Shared values of ‘freedom and democracy’
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Michigan Gov. Whitmer says time for ‘only thoughts and prayers’ is over, vows to take action on gun violence
next post
Ohio congressman slams ‘blame game’ after Buttigieg passes buck on derailed train in East Palestine

You may also like

Indiana ACLU sues over state’s ban on ‘human sexuality’ lessons...

June 10, 2023

Trump reveals his thoughts on barrage of legal charges, investigations:...

June 11, 2023

First Republican presidential debate an ‘awesome opportunity’ for candidates to...

August 24, 2023

Tesla Stock Earnings: 3% Drop Amid Delivery Issues

October 4, 2024

Mel King, Boston civil rights figurehead and former mayoral candidate,...

March 30, 2023

Biden says American citizens will leave Gaza through Rafah border...

November 2, 2023

Mitch McConnell selects Thom Tillis for a Senate Republican leadership...

January 17, 2023

These six battleground states could cost President Biden the White...

December 3, 2023

Maine Gov. Mills to give budget address on Valentine’s Day

February 1, 2023

Federal judge pauses deadlines in Trump documents case after SCOTUS...

July 6, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025
    • Amazon taps Xbox co-founder to lead new team developing ‘breakthrough’ consumer products

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,581)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Harris suggests ‘consequences’ are on the...

    March 25, 2024

    EURUSD and GBPUSD: GBPUSD under pressure...

    September 30, 2024

    Trump’s loan proposal for Ukraine aid...

    April 16, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here