Montgomery, AL — An Alabama lawyer, also a former state senator, is embroiled in a lawsuit that accuses him of gross sexual misconduct and exploitation of an incarcerated woman. Douglass “Doug” Ghee, 78, faces grave allegations including sexual assault and battery in a complaint that also names his law firm, Ghee, Draper, and Alexander.
According to the lawsuit, Ghee met the 29-year-old woman in July at the Calhoun County Jail, where she was held. He allegedly manipulated his position as a public defender and exploited her vulnerability, promising legal favors in exchange for becoming his “sex slave” and demanding $2,500.
The woman claimed that during their first interaction, she was restrained with handcuffs and shackles in an attorney-client meeting room equipped with a live video feed monitored by corrections officials. The lawsuit alleges that just days after their initial encounter, Ghee surreptitiously deposited $30 into the woman’s jail account, an act perceived as further manipulation.
In their second meeting, the lawsuit contends, Ghee escalated his advances by groping her and forcibly kissing her. Her immediate distress prompted a corrective intervention by a corrections officer, who removed her from the situation.
The alarming incidents brought significant judicial and professional fallout for Ghee. Shortly after the accusations came to light in July, a Seventh Circuit presiding judge prohibited Ghee from representing indigent clients across two districts in Eastern Alabama. Following this, four judges recused themselves from managing any of Ghee’s cases, hinting at the severe breach of ethical standards at play.
Legal representatives for the woman have articulated her inability to press criminal charges amid ongoing judicial proceedings and her current incarceration. Her attorney, Anthony Coleman, emphasized the urgency of resolving her bond conditions, stating, “Her continued detainment impedes the justice process and exacerbates the psychological trauma she endures.”
This case has triggered an investigation, confirmed by Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade. Meanwhile, Ghee’s legal office, in a terse response, indicated that he would not be commenting on the allegations. Ghee, renowned for his stints in the Alabama State Senate from 1990 to 1998, now finds his reputation and freedom under severe scrutiny.
Sexual conduct between detainees and anyone in a position of power is strictly illegal in Alabama, as detainees cannot legally give consent, a law designed to protect against abuses of power in detention settings.
As the investigation progresses, community and legal observers alike await further developments, hoping for swift justice and protective measures for vulnerable populations within the criminal justice system. The lawsuit filed on behalf of the victim seeks not only to address her grievances but also to spotlight the broader issues of misconduct in similar settings.