HERE COMES THE PERV!
I stole neighbor gal’s undies – and not just once – judge tells cops
A FREAKY Long Island judge, busted with pocketfuls of purloined panties, confessed to cops that he’s got a thing for thongs.
Jurist Robert Cicale admitted stealing his 23-year-old neighbor’s underwear on previous occasions before police arrested his honor outside her home Thursday morning, a criminal complaint charged.
Cicale was carrying a raincoat with additional undies stuffed in its pockets from earlier hamper-hunting escapades at the East Islip residence, cops said Friday.
“I went into the house to take the panties again,” Cicale told cops once in custody. “The panties I had on me are from the other times I went into the house.”
A harried and disheveled Cicale, the married father of three, ignored questions from the media as he fled the courthouse after posting $50,000 bond.
“What do you have to say to your wife and kids?” shouted one reporter as Cicale climbed into a Chevy Tahoe and drove away.
Prosecutors, without identifying anyone, said the investigation had turned up five victims of the injudicious Cicale — including the young woman, who once worked as an intern for the judge.
“This is highly disturbing,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini. “This individual who swore to uphold the law . . . violated it in a very serious way.
“He indicated in his confession that he has urges to steal women’s underwear,” continued Sini. “It’s a strange set of facts.”
The burglary charge and humiliating court appearance weren’t the only bad news Friday for the 49-year-old Suffolk County judge.
Cicale was relieved indefinitely of all judicial duties and barred from entering into any courthouse or other court system facility.
The state Court of Appeals will determine where Cicale will be suspended — and whether that leave would be paid or unpaid. Judge David William McAndrews issued three orders of protection that could force Cicale, 49, out of his suburban home near the victims.
“He’s going to have to make some adjustments,” McAndrews said of Cicale’s living arrangements.
Cicale, the father to three kids ages 13, 11 and 9, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“His reputation throughout the court is stellar,” said defense attorney William Wexler. “Every judge, every lawyer, respects him.”
The female victim, who once worked at the Islip Town attorney’s office, was asleep when Cicale crept into her home in search of underwear, said Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Milito.
The unidentified woman awoke, spotted Cicale and “called her mother, panicked,” said Milito.
Cicale admitted fleeing “when I heard someone home,” and the judge was arrested two blocks away from the impromptu and illegal panty raid.
“His story to police didn’t make any sense,” said Sini.