Attorney facing additional charge

Attorney Michael J. Duff is facing an additional charge of telecommunications harassment in connection with allegations of improper behavior toward a female client.

In a pre-trial hearing March 15, prosecutors for the city of Lorain added one count of misdemeanor telecommunications harassment in addition to a sexual imposition charges Duff is facing.

Duff, 66, of Sheffield

Lake, was charged in January for allegedly making advances toward a female client in December, according to Lorain police.

According to records from Lorain Municipal Court, Duff pleaded not guilty to sexual imposition.

Another pretrial hearing in Lorain Municipal Court is scheduled for April 12, and a trial date tentatively set for April 30.

Duff has denied any improper conduct and is awaiting more information from police, his attorney, Dan Wightman of Avon Lake, has said.

“In late January 2021, the Lorain Police Detective Bureau was approached by an adult female, who said that her attorney, Michael Duff, had made unwanted sexual advances and had made physical contact with her without her consent,” said a statement from the Lorain Police Department. “This incident was alleged to have occurred at Attorney Duff’s law office at 715 Broadway Ave., in Lorain.

“A brief investigation was conducted which corroborated the victim’s allegations.”

On Jan. 28, Lorain police officers and detectives went to Duff’s law office to give him a Lorain Municipal Court summons pertaining to the sexual imposition charge.

“Evidence was also confiscated which confirmed that the victim had scheduled business with Mr. Duff on or about the date of the alleged incident,” police said.

Duff