Judge Seals Records in Mom's Case Who Filmed Minors in Her Home for 'Sexual Pleasure'

According to the Stamford Advocate, “at least one photograph taken by the defendant depicted a person who was a minor,” Judge John Blawie wrote in his ruling from February 1, but the New York Times reported that all three of the victims were younger than 18 and at least one victim was 15 or younger.

Many of the photos and videos taken of the victims were of them naked or in their underwear while at Palmer's mansion in Greenwich, according to Oxygen.

An officer told the newspaper that one of the incidents could best be described as an “obscene performance.”

The videos went undetected for nearly a year, although it’s unclear what the circumstances were that lead to Palmer’s arrest on October 22, 2021, as the arrest warrants obtained by police have been sealed, the Advocate reported.

Accelerated rehabilitation is a type of program where defendants of minor crimes can have their records sealed, according to the Daily Mail. It’s a program only offered to first-time offenders and can only be applied to defendants charged with Class C felonies with “good cause.”

Palmer’s lawyer, Michael Meehan, eventually withdrew the application for accelerated rehabilitation but maintained that the files should be sealed for the good of everyone.

Lawyers representing the victims agreed that sealing the records was the best solution.

Palmer was charged with employing a minor in an obscene performance, three counts of voyeurism, second-degree possession of child sexual abuse imagery, and risk of injury to a child, WFLA reported. Palmer made a plea deal with prosecutors on January 19 and pleaded guilty to three counts of voyeurism and one count of risk of injury to a minor, People stated. As part of the plea deal, the more serious charges leveled against Palmer were dropped.

Palmer is the daughter Jerrold Fine, founder of the Charter Oak Partners Management hedge fund, and is the estranged wife of venture capitalist Brad Palmer. At the time of the incidents she was living the $10 million estate where Martha Maxley was murdered back in 1975. Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel was convicted in the murder, but the decision was later overturned.

At a public hearing on February 1, the reporter argued that the decision appeared to indicate a “second tier of justice” where wealthy defendants could “keep things secret,” reported the New York Post.

“Having a wholesale sealing of a criminal matter like this is highly unusual and I would argue improper, especially where there are more narrowly tailored means that could exist” to protect the victims’ identities, agreed Jennifer Nelson, a senior staff lawyer with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

In another unusual move, Palmer has also requested that portions of her sentencing, including her own testimony, be sealed.

Brodlie, a child psychologist, was taken into custody in December and has been charged with failure to report abuse, neglect, or injury of a child. His case file has also been sealed after applying for the accelerated rehabilitation program.

On February 10, Judge John Blawie issued an order to seal Palmer’s records, agreeing that the move could help protect the victims.

Palmer began serving 90 days in a state women’s prison as part of her plea agreement on February 4, although she could have her sentence extended to as long as five years, People reported. The New York Post noted that she might have to register as a sex offender but as part of her plea agreement a judge may seal the registry entry from public view if the judge agrees it’s not necessary for public safety or could put the safety of the victims at risk.

Palmer is due back in court August 1 to further determine her sentence, People reported.