Former State Senate candidate Protentis found not guilty on lewdness charges
HINGHAM – Lakeville resident and former State Senate candidate Russell Protentis was found not guilty for lewdness charges at Hingham District Court on Thursday, Oct. 19.
According to Beth Stone, the director of communications for the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, Protentis was found not guilty by a jury for the trial that began on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Protentis was charged with open and gross lewdness and accosting/annoying another person after he allegedly exposed himself to an adult victim at the Hanover YMCA in 2022, according to information provided by the Hanover Police Department.
Protentis, a Republican, ran against Democratic incumbent Michael Rodrigues for state senator for the first Bristol and Plymouth District 2022 election.
“I have a dignified reputation that was dragged through the mud for 16 months,” said Protentis. “I hope this never happens to anybody again.”
Protentis added that his attorney, Sarah Westra, “did an exhaustive and impeccable job” defending his innocence.
He said that Westra was supported by retired Boston Police Detective Michael Devane.
