The Wall Street Journal has reported that the former mayor of White Plains, New York, Adam Bradley, has been sentenced to three years probation and must permanently stay away from his wife, Fumiko Bradley, as he has been found guilty of domestic violence.
Acting state Supreme Court Justice Susan Capeci told Bradley, “You attempted to assault your wife and then you intimidated her.”
The judge did not order Bradley to serve jail time, though prosecutors had called for it.
Bradley is planning on appealing.
Outside of the courtroom the former mayor refused to speak to the press, but Fumiko Bradley had her own written statement read aloud by prosecutors, “Many women suffer silently. I was married to a powerful politician and was afraid what would happen to my children and me if I broke the silence. I want this case to show that there is justice and hope for anybody to be free from violence.”
Though elected as mayor in 2009 after first serving as the Democratic state assemblyman, and looking forward to a promising political career, Bradley, 49, resigned last month from office.
Fumiko Bradley had accused her husband of slamming a door on her fingers and throwing hot tea at her.
He was convicted for attempted assault, harassment and contempt. He will serve three years for probation for the contempt conviction with a concurrent year for attempted assault.
If Bradley stays out of trouble for a year his harassment convictions will be discharged.
Fumiko Bradley is under a permanent order of protection, from her husband, as imposed by Judge Capeci.
The couple had two children together, custody of which will be determined in the course of their pending divorce.
Neal Comer, Fumiko Bradley’s lawyer, said that the life-long protective order was something that “every victim in a domestic violence case wants and should have.”
Bradley, as mayor of White Plains’ 60,000 population, was urged to resign both before and after he was convicted.
When he did resign, during a news conference on February 18, he claimed that the trial required so much of his attention that it had cut into the time needed to fulfill his mayoral duties.
Bradley said, “I can no longer allow the circumstances of my personal life to be a distraction.”
During her testimony, Fumiko Bradley, 38, recounted that her husband often harassed her. He went so far as to suggest that she move into a mental hospital – to cast doubt on her allegations and to save his political career.
Bradley claimed that it was he that was the object of domestic abuse.
He said that Fumiko routinely berated him, and that she also punched and pushed him.
But, he said, “I never responded physically to my wife’s assaults, ever.”
Comer made a final statement as to the demise of Bradley’s career and Fumiko’s role in it, “I don't think she brought the mayor down, the mayor brought himself down.”
If you have been the victim of domestic violence, contact a family law attorney for help. Take this crucial step to protect yourself from harm from now on.