for the idiots that say the justice system is fair can you explain this.this makes me sick.A California businessman was sentenced to 90 days house arrest and five years of informal probation after pleading no contest to the statutory rape of a then-5-year-old girl.
FOX 40 reports Lyle Burgess, 79, of Stockton, also will not have to register as a sex offender.
"A 5 to 6-year-old little girl was molested. Normally the sentence is state prison and then when you're released, you have to register as a sex offender," family attorney Ken Meleyco said. "Future victims are not protected."
Deputy District Attorney Kathy Murray has not responded to questions about the sentence.
The Record reports defense attorney Gregory Davenport said Burgess "maintains his innocence." Davenport said he believes the allegations are motivated by greed.
Burgess founded Rare Parts Inc., an automotive parts manufacturer and distributor.
"He's obviously very wealthy and it's just an example of how the wealthy people, time and time again, escape the penalty for what they did," Meleyco said.
Burgess had been a friend of the victim's family. The assault reportedly took place after her family was invited to Burgess' cabin in 2016.
"They trusted this man, he was a family friend, and he took advantage of them," Meleyco said.
The victim's mother, who is not identified in order to protect the victim's identity, said she witnessed incidents between her child and Burgess at the cabin. She called his sentence "getting off so easy."
“Our daughter has been harmed by this man continuously,” the victim’s mother said through tears. “I’m incredibly disgusted by his behavior and continuously disgusted by his lies."
The victim's father said his daughter sleeps on the floor outside her parents' room.
The child's family has filed a civil lawsuit against Burgess.
