Sex Trafficking Sting Nabs Partner

Partner allegedly spends the most ill-advised $60 ever.

Judson V. Sutherland‘s life was on an upward trajectory. He was a name partner at the law firm Hajjar, Sutherland and Peters, on the board of J Black’s Feel Good Kitchen and Lounge, on the board of governors for the University of Texas Club — he was even named one of Austin’s Under 40 award finalists. Then he allegedly spent the most ill-advised $60 ever.

You see, last year (update 7/27/15 2:12pm: though the arrest took place last year, formal charges were actually filed earlier this month. None of which diminishes the sheer schadenfreude inherent in the case. So, enjoy!) Sutherland got caught in a FBI sex trafficking sweep. The Austin Business Journal has the allegations:

Sutherland responded to the [online] advertisement [placed as part of the undercover operation] by phoning the undercover officer and identified himself as ‘Jay.’ After this phone conversation, he traveled to the location, identified himself to the officer as ‘Jay’ and made an agreement for sexual intercourse in exchange for $60.

I don’t mean to be glib, but maybe he should have clued in that something was up when he negotiated a price of $60? Shouldn’t a partner be getting some of that high-class action? Granted, my knowledge of sex work comes almost exclusively from Hollywood, but Kit told Vivian not to take less than $100, which was 25 years ago, so I’d have thought prices would only go up. In related news, OMG Pretty Woman came out TWENTY FIVE years ago.

Sutherland’s arrest followed a four-day FBI operation related to human trafficking, which is obviously a serious issue, particularly in travel hubs with large immigrant populations like Texas. According to State Department estimates, between 14,500 and 17,500 people (mostly women and children) are trafficked into the United States every year.

The firm issued the following statement to the Austin Business Journal about the arrest:

All of us at Hajjar Sutherland & Peters LLP are disturbed by the recent news involving Judson Sutherland. These are issues that we take very seriously, and are conducting our own investigation to ascertain the truth to the charges currently before Mr. Sutherland. In no way, shape or form is this being overlooked or discounted by this firm.

We expect our attorneys and staff to comport themselves with class, dignity and in such a way as to reflect the values and ethics of this firm. It is up to the partners of Hajjar Sutherland & Peters LLP to set that example. To the extent that such an example was not set, we will deal with that internally. At this point, Mr. Sutherland has been a partner at this firm and our friend for the last nine years; until we make our internal conclusions, it is hasty to comment upon or opine on the media’s version of events, and we hope others will follow suit in this regard. In the meantime, this will not affect the quality of our work, service levels expected by our clients, or the practice of law by this firm. We sincerely thank the hundreds of clients and friends who have reached out to us offering their support and continued patronage.

We remind everyone this firm is comprised of twelve attorneys and seven staff members who have made Hajjar Sutherland & Peters LLP a wonderful place to work and have provided excellent services to thousands of clients since February, 2005. We love you, appreciate you and look forward to being of service for many years to come.

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Sutherland’s bio has been removed from the firm’s website and the site rebranded as Hajjar Peters LLP. Nothing like the whiff of prostitution to get you kicked to the curb right quick.

Austin Lawyer Faces Formal Prostitution Charge [Texas Lawyer]
Austin lawyer Judson Sutherland arrested in sex trafficking sweep [Austin American-Statesman]
Austin Under 40 finalists set, gala this week at Austin Music Hall [Austin Business Journal]
APD arrest warrant reveals details about Austin law partner’s arrest [Austin Business Journal]

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