Ha! False rape accusation lands conviction...of accuser!

[Athena]

I debated on where to place this, but I believe the topic deserves more than simple recognition. Some conversation is definitely in order.

Woman pleads guilty to false rape report
By Peyton Whitely
Seattle Times Eastside bureau



STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Katherine M. Clifton, left, listens with her attorney, Kelly Faoro, as Judge Peter Nault hands down her sentence in King County District Court in Redmond.
A 22-year-old former Woodinville woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to making a false rape accusation against a local college professor last June.

King County District Court Judge Peter Nault called the case one of the "saddest" he'd ever seen in court and one that is likely to have long-term impact on future investigations.

"That we hurry to castigate a person who turns out to be entirely innocent ... I don't know how it could be worse," said Nault, saying the incident will make it harder for real sexual victims to bring their cases forward.

Nault accepted a guilty plea from Katherine M. Clifton, accused of making false statements to a public servant.

Those statements led to the rape charge last summer against the professor who subsequently spent nine days in jail and was placed on leave from his job.

Clifton declined to comment at the hearing but filed a detailed statement saying that she had been sexually abused by her grandfather, who was convicted of rape of a child in 1994.

"In order to understand why, I have to explain what has happened to me in my past that has forever affected me," she wrote.

Clifton, who now lives in Ellensburg, was sentenced to serve 365 days in jail, with 357 days suspended, and to pay a $5,000 fine, with $4,750 suspended, plus other conditions that include probation and community service. Nault also ordered her to pay the professor's attorney fees.

The professor declined to discuss the charges, saying he wants to put the past behind him, and asked not to be identified.

The King County Prosecutor's Office concedes a mistake was made in the original prosecution but said it was acting on the best information available at the time.

"In hindsight, what was presented to us was an allegation of a violent rape," said Ian Goodhew, deputy chief of staff. "That doesn't mean the investigation stopped."

Clifton was "an extremely articulate and credible victim," said Sgt. John Urquhart, Sheriff's Office spokesman. "There was no reason to suspect she wasn't telling the truth."

The investigation started July 9, when Clifton met with a detective, according to court records.

She described a series of contacts with the professor beginning the previous March. She showed police e-mail messages she said were from the professor which said he had "romantic feelings" and seemed to promise to raise her grade if she agreed "to a few conditions."

Clifton also told detectives the professor "randomly showed up at locations she frequented" at least 15 times.

She said that at 7 a.m. on July 5 the professor went into her Woodinville house and raped her.

On July 10, detectives contacted the professor, who denied all the charges and said he'd never seen Clifton off the school campus. He acknowledged exchanging e-mails with her but said the ones she provided to police had been altered.

The professor was charged with first-degree rape and burglary on July 12. The Prosecutor's Office asked for $500,000 bail, describing the professor as "an extreme threat to the victim and the community."

But as detectives continued working, it became clear that the text in the e-mails had been changed. None of the professor's fingerprints were found at Clifton's house. A sexual-assault examination found no evidence of rape.

The detective also checked on a supposed court order shown by Clifton to people at the college that seemed to bear the heading "In the Superior Court of Washington State for King County" and apparently ordered her not to talk about the professor.

But the judge's signature was illegible and the case number didn't match any King County filings.

On July 25, Clifton told detectives she had forged a judge's signature and made up a legal document on her computer.

On July 26 the charges were dismissed, and a day later Clifton was charged with making false statements to a public servant.

Clifton's attorney, Kelly Faoro, said her client has "extremely deep remorse" for the false statements and realizes that "none of this makes it any better" for the professor.

The professor now has his job back, but said in court documents that the experience would stay with him.

"Even though I did absolutely nothing wrong ... my rape and burglary with sexual-motivation charges, albeit false, will remain in the court records forever," he swore in one filing.

King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Shelby Smith said Clifton's actions will also "harm the community of sexual-assault victims," who will find their cases more difficult to pursue.

"Other victims will be treated with more scrutiny," she said.

------------

A couple of points/questions:

1.) This woman is absolutely deplorable. I don't believe the sentence is harsh enough and hope that the community continues to shame her after her release.

2.) Should the police have gathered more evidence before charging the professor? If we are innocent until proven guilty, should we be snapping people up based on little more than an accusation? Or is their quick response to allegations the responsible protocol? After all, had this been true, the man poses a significant threat.

3.) Isn't it nice to finally hear about a woman being brought up on charges for this shit?

[Pirelli Jones]

1.) This woman is absolutely deplorable. I don't believe the sentence is harsh enough and hope that the community continues to shame her after her release.

Absolutely not enough. Disgracing someone else's name for what? I didn't even understand her motivation, I don't buy the grandpa raping motivated such a selfish act.

2.) Should the police have gathered more evidence before charging the professor? If we are innocent until proven guilty, should we be snapping people up based on little more than an accusation? Or is their quick response to allegations the responsible protocol? After all, had this been true, the man poses a significant threat.

That's a tough one, it sounds like they took the word of bogus emails and then discovered later that there wasn't any evidence collected in the rape kit. I was arrested for assault on a person once, I didn't do anything illegal but she claimed I was on private property, then to get their attention she claimed I threatened to kill her.

The cops came and handcuffed me in front of the neighbors, which thrilled my wife, because of the alleged threat. Rules say when death threat is made suspect must be arrested. If a credible threat existed I think that's good policy, and while erring on the side of safety cost me a few hours in jail, local notoriety in the paper, and a couple grand in attorney fees, the village prosecutor looked at both sets of statements (we each had a witness) and didn't bother to show up for court. I really wished they'd have drawn out a long trial and forced the bitch to perjure herself so that I could have sued for big money, you bitch AS in Shorewood, IL I hope that tilt-a-whirl falls and pins you under it.

3.) Isn't it nice to finally hear about a woman being brought up on charges for this shit?

Not as much as its disappointing to see her get slapped on the wrist, this was a huge waste of government resources and that's totally ancillary to the fact that this bitch cried wolf using one of the hottest buzzwords in decent society.

[Angel]

The "My childhood abuse made me do it," line doesn't work any better for a liar than for a criminal, in my book. I mean, my mom's dad was a perv, but I haven't gone around accusing random people of rape. I don't think her sentence was harsh enough either...not by a long shot. Figuratively speaking, she 'raped' this guy's character. She, and other women who file false rape charges, should be prosecuted to the same extent that an actual rapist would, IMO. In which case, she probably would have still gotten out in a very few days, come to think of it.

People like this woman make it harder for actual rape victims in many ways. In addition to creating doubt as to the credibility of the charges, it also is exploitative of the actual rape victims, themselves. Someone using such a scenario to get attention focused on herself, by using the scariest situation a woman could find herself in. It belittles the suffering of true victims. Most women who have really been raped find it so difficult to discuss, that many never even report it. The shame and degradation suffered by rape victims being used so some twit can get a little attention, absolutely turns my stomach.

False accusations also make it more difficult for a prosecutor to get a conviction when the accused IS guilty. Many jurors will be hesitant to 'ruin' someone's life, if they think there might be even the slightest chance that the girl is being less than completely honest. And defense attorneys use that fact to their advantage.

As for the police doing their job, I think that it is better to keep someone in jail for a couple of days, if you have a good reason to believe the victim is telling the truth, than to let a guy go who may skip bail, and assault someone again. Granted, there are drawbacks to this approach, as demonstrated in this story, but I think the risk of letting a violent offender go greatly outweighs the risk of keeping an innocent person in custody for a couple of days.

I also think that in addition to whatever sentence she was given, she should be required to pay ALL expenses incurred by the professor as a result of the false allegations. She should also be required to make a public apology to the man, his family, the court, and the general public for character assassination, stress, psychological abuse, and wasting the taxpayers' money and the court's time.

I could go on for days on this, but I am going to stop myself before my head explodes from rage.

[Athena]

No...I don't buy for a second that the grandpa-rape thing consciously factored in at all, or even predisposed her to such behavior subconsciously, necessarily. It's nothing more than a last minute ploy for sympathy and mercy...Shameful in itself. To blame ones past for actions like this does a disservice to all those who have suffered equally or worse only to deal with it positively.

I'm thankful to have never suffered unjust persecution. Did you try to pursue either criminal charges or civil compensation as a result of her false accusation?

The slap on the wrist is certainly disappointing, and I wonder what a maximum sentence is for this particular charge. I also wonder if the fact that the judge ordered her to pay the professor's legal fees precludes him from pursuing civil compensation, although, I doubt he would anyway.

Now that you mention it, I almost wonder which way this will be seen in the eyes of those who might attempt similar accusations - Whether they will recognise that they may be brought up on charges if caught and be deterred, or if they will see that the sentence is light so it is no deterrent at all?

[Becca]

To blame ones past for actions like this does a disservice to all those who have suffered equally or worse only to deal with it positively.

Very well said, Athena. I couldn't immediately comment on this bcs I was gripped by rage. Kinda still am, bcs you guys now know about me that I've been where this woman was (if the grandpa story of hers is true and not a ploy) and never did nor will ever do some shit like this.

Twatwaffles like this give survivors like me a bad name. GRRRRRR.

[Pirelli Jones]

She should also be required to make a public apology to the man, his family, the court, and the general public for character assassination, stress, psychological abuse, and wasting the taxpayers' money and the court's time.

I think the public shaming of this woman, and restoring the honor of this man should include a media campaign that is to a factor of 100 what the reports about the "rape by professor" stories carried.

Did you try to pursue either criminal charges or civil compensation as a result of her false accusation?

Nope, if the village prosecutor had pushed the issue until she perjured herself then criminal counts would have been warranted, if I could prove "malicious intent" civil claims would be valid. How do you prove malicious intent? The bitch called the cops and lied about me, that seems malicious but there is some other standard of proof my attorney felt could not be met without her at least entering testimony at trial.

[skeptical]

Very well said, Athena. I couldn't immediately comment on this bcs I was gripped by rage. Kinda still am, bcs you guys now know about me that I've been where this woman was (if the grandpa story of hers is true and not a ploy) and never did nor will ever do some shit like this.

Twatwaffles like this give survivors like me a bad name. GRRRRRR.

Twatwaffles! I love this word! Thank you Becca for contributing to my vocabulary!;)

[Athena]

Nope, if the village prosecutor had pushed the issue until she perjured herself then criminal counts would have been warranted, if I could prove "malicious intent" civil claims would be valid. How do you prove malicious intent? The bitch called the cops and lied about me, that seems malicious but there is some other standard of proof my attorney felt could not be met without her at least entering testimony at trial.

Weak. Yeah, "malicious intent" can be a bitch. Sorry to hear about that, dude.

[TC-JAV]

This is terrible! I don't see how this woman could do this, and I'm glad she got in trouble! Enen tho the guy is cleared, I imagine he will suffer for this the rest of his life.

[Rob Taylor]

Shouldn't this revelation cast doubt on her claim of molestation too? Her whole story reminds me of those recovered memory people who get caught in one false accusation so they say that there's another rape that was being covered by that memory. When that one is proved false there's another and another.

Someone should check to see if she's seeing one of those "therapists" that were making so much scratch in the 90s.

[Athena]

Shouldn't this revelation cast doubt on her claim of molestation too? Her whole story reminds me of those recovered memory people who get caught in one false accusation so they say that there's another rape that was being covered by that memory. When that one is proved false there's another and another.

Someone should check to see if she's seeing one of those "therapists" that were making so much scratch in the 90s.

Eh...If the rape conviction had been during her adulthood, I'd say absolutely. But she was 9 when grandpa was convicted. "Convicted", which generally means, beyond reasonable doubt. Odds are, what grandpa did was real...But that has no bearing on this case.

[Mom of 4]

Eh...If the rape conviction had been during her adulthood, I'd say absolutely. But she was 9 when grandpa was convicted. "Convicted", which generally means, beyond reasonable doubt. Odds are, what grandpa did was real...But that has no bearing on this case.

I agree Athena. She was a child and he was convicted. What this woman has done is inexcusable but just because someone lied doesn't mean anything they have ever said is a lie. Especially since she was only 9 years old and grandpa was convicted.

[Zsu Zsu's Petals]

Math is not my strong suit, but if he was in jail for nine days, and she was sentenced to 365, with 357 suspended, doesn't that mean she will actually serve less time than he did? How is that even remotely considered justice?

It's all well and good for us to decide who we feel is guilty or innocent on a message board-- but in creating a criminal case, this department seems to have missed the boat. One person's word is certainly not enough to throw someone in jail for over a week-- it's disgusting. Altered emails and forged court documents should have been easy to identify. The fact that there was absolutely no physical evidence should have kept this guy out of jail.

If I were calling the shots, she'd be in jail for at least 10x the amount of times as her victim, and she'd be sentenced to a full year of working for a rape crisis center, so she could see how devastaing rape is to real victims, not those who play one for attention.

Blech.

[The Diabolical Mr. Lieman]

To respond to the original message, because I think this is a great topic-I really think, that if it's ever proven that an accusation is false, and I mean proven, here---which seems hard to do---I think the accuser should face the exact same amount of time in prison that would come with a rape charge. In other words, if a guy who was falsely accused was going to face ten years, then she should face ten years.

False accusations, putting someone away for a long period of time is just a horrendous crime, IMO, and it fucking ruins lives...

I cant tell you how many goddamn women I talk to have a rape story. 0-10% are probably true. It disgusts me. And whats more, for those who have been through it, its a tragedy that they have to be looked at in a different light, and its a spit in their collective faces that they have survived something intrinsically horrible, and be looked at as just another girl with another rape story.

True story, albeit an extreme one, but worth telling: When I was in the tenth grade, I was going to fuck this chick who was soooo hot, and a big slut. I was talking to her one night, and sucking on her fucking tit, when no lie, she tells me...she fucking tells me....she was raped EIGHTY SEPERATE TIMES BY DIFFERENT MEN.

This bitch.....was crazy.....needless to say, I fucking left.

[impqueen]

I cant tell you how many goddamn women I talk to have a rape story. 0-10% are probably true. It disgusts me. And whats more, for those who have been through it, its a tragedy that they have to be looked at in a different light, and its a spit in their collective faces that they have survived something intrinsically horrible, and be looked at as just another girl with another rape story.

The last time I looked, the projected figures on girls being sexually abused was at about 20%. Of all women, about 1 in 5 have sexual abuse in their past. For you to say that 0-10% of "rape stories" are true means that of the girls you date, a minimum of one in five is telling the truth (not even counting the ones who don't tell you.) However, if you date women in the sex industry (strippers, dancers, whatever), that abuse figure jumps to almost 3 out of 4. Chances are, not all of them are lying.

So either you date some psycho hose beast women, dude, or more than 10% of them are telling the truth. Whether they should be telling someone who won't believe them is a whole other thing. I can't imagine telling someone I didn't know well about something that personal - and if I did manage to open up that much, and they didn't believe me, I'd never be back.

You've said, though, that a lot of women you date seem to come out with stories like this early on. Why do you think that is? Is it a quality that comes with the particular women you date, or is it just something in the available dating pool where you are, or what? No disrespect, y'know, I'm just curious.

[Athena]

Oh, man... @_@

[impqueen]

To respond to the original message, because I think this is a great topic-I really think, that if it's ever proven that an accusation is false, and I mean proven, here---which seems hard to do---I think the accuser should face the exact same amount of time in prison that would come with a rape charge. In other words, if a guy who was falsely accused was going to face ten years, then she should face ten years.

False accusations, putting someone away for a long period of time is just a horrendous crime, IMO, and it fucking ruins lives...

Actually, I totally agree with this part of what you said. :) Makes sense, right? You lie, you do the time.

[The Diabolical Mr. Lieman]

ll

[The Diabolical Mr. Lieman]

The last time I looked, the projected figures on girls being sexually abused was at about 20%.

Thats just it, though. Based on what figures? Convictions? Accusations?

Of all women, about 1 in 5 have sexual abuse in their past.

See, I just don't believe that. One out of every fucking FIVE!? Please.

For you to say that 0-10% of "rape stories" are true means that of the girls you date, a minimum of one in five is telling the truth (not even counting the ones who don't tell you.) However, if you date women in the sex industry (strippers, dancers, whatever), that abuse figure jumps to almost 3 out of 4. Chances are, not all of them are lying.

Of course. I'm not saying women don't get raped. I know it happens, and I know it happens more than it should. But I do believe it's used as a means of empowerment. See...women use sex as power all the time, and I don't disagree with it. I'm seeing a woman who strips for a living now. She brings home over a grand a night sometimes. She's not proud of being a stripper, but like she says....it makes her a nice living, and there's a rush being worshipped up there. But women also like playing the victim, and that's why there are so many rape stories to be told. Luckily, the girl Im seeing now does not have one....

So either you date some psycho hose beast women, dude, or more than 10% of them are telling the truth. Whether they should be telling someone who won't believe them is a whole other thing.

Some of them were psychotic, but hell, I'm of the mind that women in general are a little psychotic....I love them oodles and noodles, but dayum, you ladies are nuts, the allaya. :D

I can't imagine telling someone I didn't know well about something that personal - and if I did manage to open up that much, and they didn't believe me, I'd never be back.

Of course, I never call their bullshit. I'm the dude that will coddle you, hold you, whisper and all that shit, while judging the hell outya. But seriously, if I think the woman is believable, then it's not like I just never believe anyone about that. It's a judgement call....ultimately, it's whether the woman is trustworthy.

You've said, though, that a lot of women you date seem to come out with stories like this early on. Why do you think that is? Is it a quality that comes with the particular women you date, or is it just something in the available dating pool where you are, or what? No disrespect, y'know, I'm just curious.

I think it's my quality. When I'm with someone, I tend to be really caring for the first few months. Women in general feel like they can open up to me, and the funny thing is, they think Im not judgemental, when in fact, I'm very. Thats just being honest.

As far as the dating pool where I am? I dont know...Florida, North Carolina, New York....I think it's women. This is why men use women, and continue to hunt for most of their lives for ones that arent devious, fuck anyone who winks at them, and who will have the strength to be worthy of everything one can give them.

Dont get me wrong...I know there are wonderful women out there...fabulous ones. I know a few who are in long term relationships, who are tough mentally, and who deserve the world...but its tough for a woman to find a good man, and a man to find a good woman. THats why when it happens, its a wonderful thing.

I found one when about seven years ago....but I fucked that one up. I was a prick, and didnt deserve her, and she was smart enough to realize that.

[Rotten Apple]

See, I just don't believe that. One out of every fucking FIVE!? Please.

I think that is actually a conservative figure.

True story. I was at lunch with 6 women that work with me. The topic of conversation ended up on sexual abuse.

4 out of the 6 of us had been sexually abused. Of those 4, only 3 had told anyone BEFORE they had become adults. Of those 3, only 2 were reported to police. Of those 2, only one served jail time.

I actually think I know more women that have some sort of sexual molestation or rape story in their background than those that do not. I don't think it is is the type of women I hang around with either. The only thing we all have in common is that we are female.

You see, none of these women had anything to gain by telling me. I am the most unsympathetic person you will meet. I wasn't out to fuck any of them. They weren't trying to hold on to me by making me feel sorry for them. They were just speaking about a part of their life. Not playing "the victim."

If you are really around that many women that would LIE about something like that, you should seriously take a good look at whats happening there.

[Lizard]

Yeah, I'm with Kathy on this one. I'm more surprised when I find out that a friend or acquaintance has never been sexually abused or assaulted.

[Athena]

I think it's unfair for Kathy to suggest that women won't lie to other women about experiences, simply because they won't get anything out of it. Of course they will. Sympathy and acceptance.

That being said, I'm not suggesting that any of the women were lying.

Of my group of friends, 3 out of 4 have been sexually assaulted. Only one of us was actually raped, however. It's important to differentiate, too. Sexual assault encompasses rape, but includes attempted rape, groping and molestation, for example. I've got no problem believing that 20% is a conservative estimate for sexual assault. I'd think it a bit high for rape alone, though.

[Rotten Apple]

I think it's unfair for Kathy to suggest that women won't lie to other women about experiences, simply because they won't get anything out of it. Of course they will. Sympathy and acceptance.

I never said all women, I said THESE women. And seriously, any woman who would lie about a thing like this for sympathy and acceptance deserves to be throttled. Most survivors will tell you the shame and fear of blame they experience is what actually keeps most of them from telling anyone.

It's important to differentiate, too. Sexual assault encompasses rape, but includes attempted rape, groping and molestation, for example. I've got no problem believing that 20% is a conservative estimate for sexual assault. I'd think it a bit high for rape alone, though.

I should probably clarify that my opinion that the 1 in 5 figure is conservative is based on sexual abuse of children alone. All of the women in my group were victims of long term sexual abuse as children.

If I added rape of adult women in that or groping, I believe it would actually be higher.

Hell, I spent half the time I was in high school punching some asshole in the face for groping me.

[The Diabolical Mr. Lieman]

I think that is actually a conservative figure.

True story. I was at lunch with 6 women that work with me. The topic of conversation ended up on sexual abuse.

4 out of the 6 of us had been sexually abused. Of those 4, only 3 had told anyone BEFORE they had become adults. Of those 3, only 2 were reported to police. Of those 2, only one served jail time.

I actually think I know more women that have some sort of sexual molestation or rape story in their background than those that do not. I don't think it is is the type of women I hang around with either. The only thing we all have in common is that we are female.

You see, none of these women had anything to gain by telling me. I am the most unsympathetic person you will meet. I wasn't out to fuck any of them. They weren't trying to hold on to me by making me feel sorry for them. They were just speaking about a part of their life. Not playing "the victim."

If you are really around that many women that would LIE about something like that, you should seriously take a good look at whats happening there.

Huh. Interesting. Tell you what...if thats the case, then thats.....I dunno. Amazing...er--terrible, is a more accurate word. And just....insane. If this is the case, then us men are more vicious than I thought.

[The Diabolical Mr. Lieman]

Groping, yes. And as Athena says, it's important to differentiate, but also, if we're going to talk about that kind of sexual "abuse", then yes, I can see those figures being accurate. I was more talking about rape, and abusive fondling....

Did I just back myself into a corner here? Is there a such thing as fondling thats....non abusive? I mean...seriously, I dont know.

[Lizard]

Let me also throw into the mix this thought...now that I think about it, I'm rather shocked at how many women I know who were sexually abused or assaulted in completely different contexts by different men.