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Pinellas lawyer accused of coercing client into sex

The Florida Bar Association is investigating claims that Bruce Young pressed the woman to pay legal bills with sex.

By CHRIS TISCH
Published March 3, 2006

A Pinellas lawyer faces possible disbarment over allegations that he coerced a woman he represented in a divorce case to pay attorney fees with sexual favors.

The Florida Bar Association will take Palm Harbor lawyer Bruce R. Young to trial on March 21 on charges he broke two Bar rules. One of those guidelines prohibits lawyers from coercing sex from clients.

Messages left at Young's office and home were not returned Thursday, but he has denied the allegations in letters to the Bar.

The case is based on the allegations of Kimberly Vullo, who was going through a divorce and child-custody battle when she visited Young's office in 2000.

Vullo, who had money problems, said Young suggested she sign an agreement in which she could pay off her fees by having sex with him, according to court records. Vullo said Young threatened her, saying she would lose her children if she didn't agree to the sexual arrangement. She said he then reached into her clothes and led her to a sofa in his office, where they had sex, records state.

"I was forced - mentally, emotionally - by using my children, that I would lose them or would never see them again," Vullo said in an interview Thursday.

The sexual relationship continued for the three years, during which Young represented Vullo, with Young frequently frightening Vullo with threats that she would lose her children, records state.

Vullo later filed a complaint with the Bar and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office investigated, then handed the case to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office, which is reviewing whether to file criminal charges against Young, said Bruce Bartlett, the chief assistant for State Attorney Bernie McCabe.

Vullo is not the only woman to accuse Young of making sexual advances.

His former legal secretary, whom Young represented in a child support case, sued him in 2003, claiming he suggested she pay her fees off by doing yard work at his house or having sex with him.

The secretary, Cheryl Marengi, said she rejected Young's offer. She said that prompted him to grab her belt loops and pull her toward him. Marengi said she filed a complaint with the Bar. Her civil suit is awaiting trial.

Another former client, Sandra Ceballos, said Young propositioned her with a "sexual retainer contract" when she hired him for a divorce.

Ceballos said she ignored Young but agreed to work for his office, after which he allegedly propositioned her for sex. She later left the firm and filed a complaint with the Florida Bar, she said.

"He uses his office as his lair to find vulnerable women to victimize," Ceballos said.

Both Ceballos and Marengi said their complaints to the Bar were dismissed last year.

But the Bar has found probable cause against Young in two other complaints, one that involves his personal behavior, the other which involves an improper relationship with a client, said Annie Baxter, a Bar spokeswoman.

More details of those cases were not available Thursday.

The Bar has received six other complaints against Young since May 2004, though no probable cause was found in those cases. One involved allegations of an improper relationship with a client, Baxter said.

In paperwork filed with the Bar, Young says Vullo pursued the relationship with him. He said the sexual encounters did not exploit the attorney-client relationship.

Young says Vullo gave him a $5,000 retainer during their first meeting and paid him about $33,000 over the course of his representation, though that was about $15,000 less than what she owed. He sued her for that money in 2004.

Vullo, 40, who is now unemployed, says all the money came from her family.

In letters to the Bar, Young suggests his problems are the result of a dispute with a former law associate, Charles Monty, who left his practice in January 2001. Young claims Monty was doing outside legal work before he left the office, then approached firm clients after he left to collect fees.

Monty now represents Marengi and also employs her in his office.

Monty said Thursday that the allegations aren't the result of any conspiracy against Young.

Young claims in the letters that Vullo and Marengi also are friends and that Vullo is "obviously and openly helping Ms. Marengi in her case against me."

Vullo's allegations spin a tawdry tale. They are detailed in a March 2004 affidavit she filed on behalf of Marengi in her civil case against Young.

She claims Young told her during their first meeting that she "had very nice legs and that he was having a hard time concentrating," the affidavit states.

Young told her he knew of her financial troubles and suggested "he could take some of the fees out in trade," the affidavit states. Young then pulled out a piece of paper and said "here is a contract for sex," the affidavit states.

According to the affidavit, Young rubbed Vullo's shoulders and told her to relax, and she began sobbing out of fear of losing her children. Young began hugging and kissing her and said "don't worry as long as you do as I say, you will get your children," the affidavit states.

Young then rubbed her hips and put his hands under her shirt, according to the affidavit. When Vullo pulled away, he said, "just remember your kids," the affidavit states.

Young then led her to a couch, where they had sex, the affidavit states.

When Vullo left the office, Young told her to "keep your mouth closed or the children will be gone," the affidavit states.

Vullo says in the affidavit that Young continued to press her for sex. Vullo said she felt humiliated and embarrassed, but felt she had to oblige.

Vullo said Young also took her out to dinners, lunches and on motorcycle rides. At times after court hearings, Young told her, "Well, I've done my part, now it's time for you to do your part," the affidavit states.

The March 21 trial will be in front of Hillsborough Circuit Judge Raul C. Palomino Jr. If Young is found guilty, Palomino will recommend a punishment to the Florida Supreme Court, which has the final say on sanctions.

Bar counsel Troy Lovell said a lawyer found guilty of allegations of this nature would typically receive what is known as a rehabilitative suspension from practicing law.

In that case, Young would be suspended for more than 90 days, then would have to seek permission to practice law again, Lovell said.

"He could be disbarred," Lovell said.

Times staff writer Steven Nohlgren and researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this report. Chris Tisch can be reached at 727 892-2359 or tisch@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 07:25:31]