Sexually assaulted by divorce attorney

I am asking for your financial help for a woman who has been raped by her male family law attorney. After filing for divorce, the woman needed to file a Harassment Restricting Order (HRO) against her husband. The mother of two, working full-time, alone and vulnerable went deep into debt while searching for help.

My friend went to ADVOCATES for FAMILY PEACE (AFFP), who provides services to families experiencing domestic violence in Itasca County. She was referred to private attorney, Jesse Powell, by AFFP because he offered discounted fees to victims referred. AFFP had no knowledge or awareness of his intent to harm victims referred to him. After paying the $1,000 retainer fee, Powell began making sexual advances toward his client during office visits. Vulnerable, alone and financially challenged, the woman felt she had no choice but to continue to have him represent her because she could not find another attorney she could afford. Because she worked full-time, she did not qualify for free legal assistance. Powell then began to stalk the woman in public and would drive by her house. Three weeks before her divorce trial, Powell raped her in his office.

After the rape, she confided in co-workers, who then referred her to a lawyer, whom they knew and trusted. She had to open a credit card to pay the $5,000 retainer fee to pay the new lawyer. Following a difficult time obtaining the records from Powell, it was discovered Powell had done almost nothing on her divorce case. The new lawyer had to do a year's worth of work in a few weeks to prepare for the upcoming trial. The woman had to open a 2nd credit card to cover the mounting additional legal fees to pay the new lawyer.

This woman found the courage to report Powell to the BOARD of LAWYERS PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY in St. Paul, MN and to the local police. Once news of Jesse Powell became public, other former female clients came forward with similar accusations. Some of Powell’s former clients asked for reimbursement of their money, but to date nothing has been received.

Jesse Powell previously worked as an ITASCA COUNTY prosecutor where he allegedly had multiple substantiated sexual harassment claims filed against him. Because of data privacy, it is unknown if and why Itasca County did not report him or fire him. After his employment with Itasca County ended, he then opened a private practice. Powell is now disbarred in Minnesota and is currently in prison for the sexual assault against her and other women who were his former private practice clients. My friend has gone through four major court and legal process': disbarrment of Powell, HRO, divorce and Powell’s criminal process. She has been broken physically, emotionally and financially. I am asking for your help through a gift of money so she can restore her dignity, self-esteem, financial security and family life. Thank you for your time, consideration and donation.