Lawyer accused of bear hugging assault

LAWRENCE, Mass. (AP) - A well-known Massachusetts defense lawyer faces an assault and battery charge after a female attorney said he bear-hugged her and put his chin on her shoulder in court.

Attorney Pamela Saia-Rogers told Lawrence police that attorney Robert LeBlanc assaulted her in November 2008 while she was talking the other attorneys in Lawrence District Court.

An assistant clerk magistrate in Woburn District Court found probable cause for the charge this week.

According to a police report, the 64-year-old grabbed the 39-year-old from behind, "wrapped his arms around her midsection just below her breast and pulled her tightly to him pressing his pelvis against her backside" in a bear-hug.

LeBlanc, of Methuen, denied the charges.

No arraignment date has been set.