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November 24, 2009

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Ex-Goodman aide gets probation

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004 | 8:59 a.m.

A former aide to Mayor Oscar Goodman, who was charged with sexually assaulting his now former wife and then setting fire to her business, was placed on five years' probation Monday.

District Judge Lee Gates sentenced William Cassidy, 52, to three to 15 years in prison on one count of first-degree arson and one to three years in prison on one count of attempted battery constituting domestic violence.

Gates suspended the sentences and placed Cassidy on probation for five years. Cassidy was ordered to attend counseling and pay $45,711 in restitution.

Cassidy pleaded guilty to the charges in November after negotiating his case with prosecutors. Under the terms of the Alford plea, Cassidy does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to obtain a conviction.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss seven felony counts, including sexual assault and second-degree kidnapping. The sexual assault charge alone carried a potential life sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Conrad Claus alleged Cassidy sexually assaulted the woman whom he married in February and two days later set fire to her massage studio.

Cassidy said he and the woman had a volatile relationship, but he maintained that he never sexually assaulted her.

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