San Francisco Sex Harassment Lawyer Arrested for Rape

Robert Michael Hoffman, a San Francisco sex harassment lawyer, has been accused of raping three women who responded to his craigslist advertisement in the “Men seeking Women” section.

Hoffman, 50, who graduated from Golden Gate University law school, described himself on his website as the founder of Hoffman Employment Lawyers in San Francisco.

However, he was charged with assaulting three women, including a 36-year-old East Bay woman in March, a 19-year-old San Francisco woman in June and a 25-year-old East Bay woman earlier in August. Hoffman also faces allegations related with rape, sexual battery, forced oral sex and one count of false imprisonment.

[The victims in this case] deserve respect, support, and to have their allegations taken seriously regardless of the circumstances, District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Stuart Hanlon, Hoffman's lawyer, claimed that the victims responded to Hoffman's advertisement and went to his apartment located in Van Ness Avenue, according to San Francisco Chronicle.

Hoffman allegedly forced them violently into sexual acts. According to police, some of the victims tried to escape, but were stopped by Hoffman.

His ad clearly said he was seeking dominant sex with submissive women, Hanlon explained. It talked about getting controlled, getting hit and getting their hair pulled.

As a harassment lawyer, Hoffman wrote on his website, He understands that clients who have experienced sexual harassment want meaningful results to their claim.

Hanlon defended for his client that Hoffman's lay practice and his private life are separated. And the advertisement on Craigslist already stated clearly what he wanted.

We believe this is a case about bondage and aggressive sex involving women who were at the location voluntarily, consenting to rough sex, Hanlon said.

Our stance is if they withdrew consent, he would not have had sex, Hanlon said. He did not want to have sex with people who didn't want it.

Hoffman was arrested on Aug. 5 and is currently being held at the county jail on $3 million bail. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday and a preliminary hearing will be held on Aug. 31.