MOSCOW, October 5 (RIA Novosti) - High-powered attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at his Manhattan home, however his lawyer denies the allegations, the Daily News reported Sunday.
"Sanford Rubenstein vehemently denies any misconduct," said Rubenstein's lawyer, Michael Ross.
Both Rubenstein and the alleged victim, a business executive and "top official" at Sharpton's National Action network, did not comment, according to the newspaper.
The New York Police Department is investigating the accusation as a third-degree rape, a charge applied to cases where the victim is "incapable of consent." Rubenstein has not been charged.
The alleged crime took place hours after the attorney attended the Rev. Al Sharpton's 60th birthday party on Wednesday. Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) distanced itself from the allegation by stating it had nothing to do with the crime which was committed at Rubenstein's apartment.
Rubenstein rose to the media spotlight for his work on the Abner Louima case which was settled in July 2001 for $8.7 million, history's largest police brutality payout at the time. Since the case, the attorney has been involved in many of New York City's largest police brutality cases. Rubenstein has also frequently appeared as a legal analyst on cable news channels, CNN, Fox, and MSNBC.
In New York, rape in the third degree is a class E felony which is punishable by one to four years in prison.
