Attorney Misconduct, Deaths, Sex Scandals

Lawyer Accused Of Trading Legal Services For Sexual Favors Found Dead In Apparent Suicide

This was not his first experience with allegations of ethical improprieties and attorney misconduct.

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police crime tapeLast Friday, Richard P. Schubach, a New Jersey attorney, was arrested and charged with three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact after allegedly undressing and fondling an undercover detective in his office. He was under investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office after he was accused of offering reduced fees for female clients in exchange for sexual favors. Schubach was jailed and later released after posting bail. Not long after these events transpired, on Tuesday morning, Schubach was found dead in his car, close to his law office.

What happened that could have precipitated Schubach’s untimely death?

According to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, in December 2015, a “concerned citizen” came forward with information on Schubach’s alleged discounted-rate system for female clients. One month later, an undercover female officer was dispatched to Schubach’s office, claiming to be a defendant in a criminal case. In their first meeting on January 28, Schubach told the detective to return with more paper work, and that she should wear something “pretty.” She came back the very next day, and that’s when things got messy. Here’s more information from the press release:

On January 29, 2016, the undercover detective met again with Schubach at his law office for their arranged meeting. During this meeting, as the detective was seated in a chair, Schubach approached her and without permission or prompting, placed his hand into/under the undercover detective’s blouse and began fondling her breast. After briefly stepping away he, again, approached her and placed his hand into/under her blouse and onto her breast a second time. During this meeting Schubach also placed his hand on the inner thigh of the detective.

Thereafter, the undercover detective stood up while telling Schubach “I don’t like this” and attempted to leave his office. Defendant Schubach asked her to “hold on” before she opened the door to exit his law office. He approached her by the exit door, and he proceeded to expose her right breast and place his mouth onto her breast. Before she exited the building he instructed her to turn around to face him while he proceeded to lift up her skirt.

Richard Schubach

Richard Schubach

Schubach was arrested the same day, and released from jail after posting $2,500 bail with a 10 percent option.

This was not Schubach’s first experience with allegations of ethical improprieties and attorney misconduct. He had two three-month suspensions during the course of his legal career (one in 1992, and one in 2003), and he was reprimanded in 1997. Perhaps his latest brush with the law pushed him over the edge.

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Early yesterday morning, at about 6:51 a.m., police were called to do a wellness check on Schubach, who was believed to be at his law office. He was later found dead in his car, in the parking lot adjacent to his firm, with what police thought to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. Police are awaiting an autopsy before announcing the official cause of his death.

Richard Schubach was a graduate of Syracuse University Law School, and had been practicing law for more than 30 years. He left behind a wife and two daughters. He may have been accused of a loathsome act, but we here at Above the Law would like to extend our condolences and sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Cop says Raritan lawyer undressed her, kissed breast [MyCentralJersey.com]
News Release: Police Charge Raritan Attorney for Criminal Sexual Contact [Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office]
N.J. lawyer accused in sex for legal services sting found dead [NJ.com]
Lawyer is accused of fondling undercover detective [ABA Journal]

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