A New Jersey nurse conned by the man she had hoped to marry has turned her attention to changing the state rape law [1]. Mischele Lewis wants scammers such as the one who victimized her treated as sex offenders.
Lewis met William Allen Jordan through an online dating service. He gave her a false name, false employment history, and false marital history. Only after the two had become engaged, and Mischele was pregnant, did she discover Jordan’s true identity and background.
As it turned out, William Allen Jordan had a bevy of ex-wives and fiancees, along with 13 children by 6 different women. One of Jordan’s British victims had gone so far as to write a book about him. Worse yet, Jordan had been convicted of child molestation, and had served time in prison for bigamy and fraud before becoming involved with Mischele.
On her own initiative, Mischele Lewis devised a sting operation that resulted in Jordan’s arrest. She compiled bank statements, emails, and photos; and secretly recorded conversations with Jordan. He subsequently pleaded guilty, and is facing a three year sentence.
Lewis does not believe this is adequate.
Since her consent to the relationship with Jordan was obtained under false pretenses, Mischele Lewis argues that Jordan’s scam amounted to sexual assault by deception. The New Jersey courts do not currently approve this theory of liability, which is why Lewis has been lobbying the legislature for a change in the law. Assemblyman Troy Singleton has now drafted the necessary bill.
Opponents of the proposed change contend that the new law could be so broadly interpreted as to turn common seduction ploys into potential felonies. It may be reprehensible for traveling salesmen to pretend they are single (when that is not the case) or for suitors to portray themselves as wealthier than their bank accounts might reflect. The question is: Should this behavior be criminalized?
Mischele Lewis maintains that women deserve protection against con men who take sexual advantage of them, as well as financial.
Something to watch.
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[1] NBC News, “ ‘I Wanted Justice’: Con Victim Turns Focus to Changing Rape Law” by Jon Schuppe, 1/24/15, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/i-wanted-justice-con-victim-turns-focus-changing-rape-law-n291661.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
Thank you for this Anna …. very interesting …. if this was business I’m sure the law has many things in place to throw the book at him. There is so much injustice it beggars belief that so many get away with it.
That is exactly how I feel, Jacqui! Though the proposed law is unlikely to pass, I find myself rooting for this woman.
Let me know of the progress Anna on this I would be very interested! x
Jacqui, Mischele Lewis caught this post, too. Turns out, she has a website of her own at mischelelewis.com.
Thanks for this have bookmarked it x
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Thanks so much for helping to spread the word of my cause. 🙂
My pleasure. You deserve applause.