Texas real estate developer and reality TV personality, William Lewald Hutchinson, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery for assaulting an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his vacation home in Laguna Beach in 2021. Hutchinson, who starred in the Lifetime reality TV series “Marrying Millions” and owns the Laguna Design Center through his company Dunhill Partners, had four additional counts of sexual battery and one count of rape dismissed due to lack of evidence.
During his sentencing in Orange County Superior Court, Hutchinson managed to avoid jail time and was instead placed on three years probation. He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender. The allegations against Hutchinson involved two 16-year-old girls whom he brought with him from Texas during several trips to his Laguna Beach residence. Prosecutors claimed that he committed four acts of sexual battery against one of the girls, while the second girl accused him of sexual battery during a subsequent visit.
One of the girls, represented by attorney Brian Gurwitz, expressed her satisfaction with the dismissal of charges against Hutchinson related to her. She stated that Hutchinson had always treated her with kindness and had never acted inappropriately towards her. She believed she should not have been involved in the case.
In addition to the criminal charges, Hutchinson is facing a civil suit filed by three women in Dallas, Texas, accusing him of victimizing them. One of the women, identified as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit, is seeking over $1 million in damages. According to the suit, she initially connected with Hutchinson on social media, hoping to receive career advice or a professional connection. However, Hutchinson allegedly attempted to manipulate her into a sexual relationship despite her clear intentions of seeking only friendship and mentorship.
The lawsuit further alleges that Hutchinson arranged for the woman to meet him at a luxury hotel in Dallas, where he attempted to sexually assault her after ordering several drinks that left her intoxicated. He then took her to an apartment he owned nearby, where he allegedly touched her without consent.
Michelle Simpson Tuege, an attorney representing the three women, commended the survivor who came forward in the Orange County case, leading to Hutchinson’s criminal conviction. Tuege emphasized the survivor’s courage in standing up against a public figure and shedding light on the actions of a now-registered sex offender.
Hutchinson’s previous statements about age gaps in relationships, where he expressed the belief that women are more mature and older men should take care of younger women, have also come to light. However, these statements are not directly related to the criminal charges against him.
1 Response
I’m curious to know more about the repercussions of William Lewald Hutchinson’s guilty plea. Could you provide more information on the potential legal consequences he may face for his actions?