In her multi-million dollar Greenwich mansion, a voyeuristic Connecticut mother pled guilty to secretly recording three individuals, including a child, in a sexual setting.
Hadley Palmer, a mother of four, pled guilty in state superior court on Jan. 19 to three counts of voyeurism and risk of injury to a juvenile, all of which she committed in 2017.
The two most serious accusations against her were dismissed as part of the plea deal: employing a juvenile in an indecent performance, which is a Class A felony, and possessing child pornography.
She allegedly videotaped someone naked or in their underwear with the “purpose to stimulate or fulfill the sexual desire of such person (defendant) or any other person,” according to the allegations.
Palmer, 53, could face charges ranging from felony to misdemeanor.
Her criminal case, however, has been closed to the public in an extraordinary move. On Thursday in Stamford, Judge John Blawie issued an injunction limiting most of the specifics and criminal proceedings surrounding her actions.
Despite The Associated Press’ concerns, the court said the case was sealed to protect the names of multiple victims.
“Between 2017 and 2018, the defendant knowingly photographed, filmed, and recorded certain individuals without their knowledge or consent, and in circumstances where those individuals were not in plain view, and had a reasonable expectation of privacy, and at least one photograph taken by the defendant depicted a person who was a minor,” Blawie wrote in a ruling obtained by The Stamford Advocate on February 1.
Palmer is also asking the judge to keep parts of her sentencing – including her own testimony – closed to the public, which is an unusual request.
Palmer is the daughter of Jerrold Fine, the founder of the hedge fund. Bradley Palmer, her venture capitalist husband, is in the process of divorcing her.
Palmer began her 90-day sentence in the state women’s prison on February 4 as part of her plea agreement.
While she may be required to register on the state’s sex offender registry as a result of her convictions, her plea bargain states that if the judge thinks that it is not necessary for public safety and could compromise the victims’ identities, the registration entry will be sealed.