Jan 22, 2008 8:15 pm US/Eastern
Former Prosecutor Faces Rape, Sex Abuse Charges
Beth Modica, Mother Of Four, Indicted On 35 Counts
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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Ramapo police say a former Rockland County prosecutor gave beer and marijuana to teens, and engaged in sexual acts with them.
CBS
A former Rockland County prosecutor is facing sex abuse, rape, and endangering charges in a case involving teenage boys.
Beth Modica, 44, surrendered Tuesday morning to face a 35-count indictment and evidence that Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe says is compelling.
Modica, her hands cuffed in front of her for the unsealing of the indictment, pleaded not guilty in Rockland County Court. Her attorney said it was the first time Modica's character had ever been questioned.
In a community where Modica was once a prominent and respected figure, the recent allegations have stunned her friends and neighbors.
"It's terrible, she should have had much better judgment, but it's really, really awful to hear anything like that," said Rockland County resident Mary Jane Matelski.
"It's just a horror show, it really is. I feel bad for the kids more than anything," resident Mitchell Greenblatt told CBS 2.
Modica, her hands cuffed in front of her for the unsealing of the indictment, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Rockland County Court. Her attorney said it was the first time Modica's character had ever been questioned.
Modica, a mother of four, is accused of giving beer and marijuana to several teenage boys. The indictment says that, beginning in July, Modica had intercourse with a 16-year-old, as well as oral sex with that boy and a 15-year-old. The judge issued orders of protection for the boys.
The incidents allegedly happened last summer at Modica's home in Sloatsburg while her husband, Spring Valley Police Chief Paul Modica, was out of town.
Sources tell CBS 2 HD the case stems from an anonymous letter sent to school officials. The letter claims Suffern High School students partied at the Modica home in Sloatsburg over the summer.
"We received a complaint sometime around December 31last year and we began an investigation right after receiving that written complaint," said Ramapo Police Chief Peter Brower.
Modica's attorney Gerard Damiani says his client will fight to clear her name and heal her family, though she's estranged from her husband and has limited contact with her children.
"The allegations are teenagers and certainly she's presumed innocent of these charges and we're gonna vigorously defend them," Damiani said.
Modica was assistant Rockland County district attorney in the early 1990s. Until earlier this month she was deputy attorney for the Town of Ramapo and the Village of Sloatsburg. Prior to those jobs, she was an assistant DA in Queens.
Zugibe said that despite Modica's past involvement with his office, he sees no conflict in prosecuting her. He refused to comment on whether her children were aware of the alleged crime.
Judge Catherine Bartlett set bail at $75,000. Modica told the judge that her licensed handgun was in her husband's possession. Ramapo Police Chief Peter Brower said the investigation began Dec. 31, when his department received a complaint in the mail. He said the students involved go to Suffern High School.
Damiani said Modica lives in Nanuet with her mother, who was in court on Tuesday. He said Modica is in good standing with the state bar association and has no prior criminal record.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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