‘This wasn’t an anti-Trump conspiracy’: Lawyer for Hooper’s alleged victim points to evidence
The lawyer for the alleged victim who claimed former state Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. sexually abused her disputed Hooper’s contention that he was arrested because of his association with Donald Trump.
The attorney pointed out that a Montgomery grand jury heard evidence that included video and audio of Hooper before he was indicted.
Dianne James Davis, who said in a statement posted to social media that she was commenting personally and not as the attorney for Montgomery hostess Elizabeth Daly, that Hooper “will not regain his reputation,” through the lawsuit he filed against the city of Montgomery, its police chief and the police department contending he was the victim of an “obvious political set-up by [his] political enemies.”
Hooper, 68 has been a longtime outspoken supporter of Trump in public statements and opinion pieces for media outlets and held positions with the former president’s campaign. His lawsuit suggests that is a reason for an effort to discredit him.
Davis disputed Hooper’s claim, adding that the former elected official publicly apologized to the alleged victim and “acknowledged his inappropriate behavior” while a grand jury viewed evidence of the alleged victim’s claims.
The Montgomery DA dropped the case last month after the alleged victim requested a dismissal, citing the public apology.
“No, this wasn’t a anti-Trump conspiracy against Mr. Hooper . I guess I must remind his legal team and Mr. Hooper, that he was indicted by a grand jury that witnessed the video and heard his words after his actions against the victim. I guess I also have to remind his legal team and Mr. Hooper that he acknowledged his inappropriate behavior publicly,” Davis said in her statement.
“This was not about money with my client. This was about what was moral and right. I truly believe Mr. Hooper will not regain his reputation by bringing this action. Everything will come forth and it will get worse for him. Women will not, nor should they accept this behavior from any person no matter their status in the community.”
Hooper was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony.
An affidavit filed at that time said Hooper, who remained at Ravello Ristorante on Aug. 6 after attending a fundraiser there earlier, approached the victim from behind, grabbed her breasts and waist, shoved his pelvis into her backside and began kissing her neck before she was able to break free. A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Hooper in November.