Law Professors, Law Schools

Rape Charges Against Law Professor Dropped

Charges have been dropped, and the professor is considering suing for defamation.

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Francesco Parisi headshotAll charges against University of Minnesota Law Professor Francesco Parisi have been dropped. Professor Parisi was arrested on February 17, following accusations from a former girlfriend that he stalked and raped her. The two had an extensive history, which included a real estate deal that went south. From the start, Parisi has maintained his innocence. His attorney, Barry Edwards, even said the allegations were “an attempt by an estranged friend in her ongoing attempt to extort concessions in some real estate negotiations between the parties.”

Now authorities are saying there is not enough evidence to move forward with the case, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune:

“Efforts to corroborate or verify a number of specific allegations against the defendant that were made to the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office were unsuccessful,” Assistant County Attorney Justin Wesley wrote in a court filing. “Considering all of the evidence that we have now, the charges are no longer supported by probable cause and are hereby dismissed in the interests of justice.”

Parisi was in jail for nearly three weeks, from his arrest until Tuesday. On that day there was a bail reduction hearing that lowered bail from $350,000 to $3,000. After his release, he went to Italy to attend his mother’s funeral.

Parisi’s lawyers expressed their frustration at the process, and said they are considering defamation charges against the accuser and the county attorney’s office:

“If the prosecutor had taken a few minutes to look, just five minutes of due diligence, it could have prevented an enormous embarrassment to all parties involved and a gross abuse of the legal system,” said one of Parisi’s attorneys, John Braun.

Braun said Parisi intends to sue the woman and possibly the county attorney’s office for defamation.

A University spokesperson said they are aware the charges have been dropped against Parisi and he remains an active employee. However, the professor will be taking the semester off from the classroom to focus on his research.

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UPDATE: This morning Minnesota Law Dean Garry Jenkins sent an email out to students, faculty and staff letting them know that the charges against Professor Parisi were dropped:

Dear UMN Law Students, Faculty, and Staff:

I am writing to follow up on my email from a few weeks ago with an update on last month’s arrest of one of our faculty members   I am very pleased to report that yesterday the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges in the interest of justice against Professor Parisi.  (He was released from custody on Tuesday.)

Undoubtedly, this has been a challenging time for Professor Parisi, who remains in good spirits.  He will continue to focus on his research for the remainder of the semester, and we all look forward to his return to classroom teaching next year.

I want to express thanks to our community for upholding the values of our profession by withholding judgment and permitting the judicial process to run its course.

Wishing you all a fun, restful, and safe Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Garry Jenkins

Garry W. Jenkins
Dean & William S. Pattee Professor of Law
University of Minnesota Law School | law.umn.edu
gjenkins@umn.edu | t. 612-625-4841 | f. 612-625-2019
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 

All charges against U law professor are dropped [Minnesota Star Tribune]

Earlier: More Details Emerge In The Rape Allegation Against Law Professor
Law Professor Arrested Amid Stalking Allegations

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headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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