Suspended NY judge pleads guilty in underwear burglary case
This March 30, 2018 file photo provided by the Suffolk County Police Department shows Suffolk County District Court Judge Robert Cicale. (Suffolk County Police Department via AP, File)
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) - A suspended New York judge has pleaded guilty to attempted burglary for trying to sneak into a neighbor's home to steal her underwear.
Robert Cicale pleaded guilty Friday in Suffolk County court.
Prosecutors say the 50-year-old Cicale had several pairs of women's soiled underwear stuffed into his jacket and raincoat was arrested on March 29, 2018 after leaving the neighbor's home. They say he admitted that he had entered the home on several occasions and stolen panties from a hamper.
Cicale was removed from the bench after his arrest. He is expected to be sentenced Nov. 15 to five years of probation with sex offender status.
Cicale's attorney, Michael J. Brown, tells Newsday that Cicale is a changed man. Brown says Cicale has dealt with "his mental illness issues."