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Attorneyt charged with firm handshake 'assault'

Attorney 'almost ripped federal prosecutor's arm out of its socket'

  • AP
  • Published: 20:56 February 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

Fort Lauderdale: An attorney has been charged with assault for allegedly shaking a federal prosecutor's hand so hard it injured her shoulder.

Kathy Brewer Rentas, 49, was arrested on Thursday after attending a court hearing involving her husband, who was accused of violating the terms of his probation for a cocaine distribution case in New York. The husband, Anthony Rentas, was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest.

Afterward, Brewer Rentas asked to shake hands with Assistant Attorney Jennifer Keene. When the pair clasped hands, Brewer Rentas shook Keene's hand so forcefully, it nearly ripped the prosecutors arm out of its socket, a court security officer told officials.

"With Keene in hand, Brewer made an upward, then a quick downward motion and pulled Keene toward the ground moving her forward, almost causing Ke-ene to fall to the ground," Deputy US Marshall Robert Kremenik Junior wrote in an arrest report.

"Assaulting a federal officer is something that we will take very seriously and prosecute vigorously," said Alicia Valle, a US Attorney's Office spokeswoman. "As a member of the bar, she should know better." Brewer Rentas's attorney, Gwendolyn Tuggle, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel her client never meant to hurt Keene.

"In her mind she never intended to cause any harm," Tuggle said.

Brewer Re-ntas was released from jail after spending a night in solitary confinement and posting $100,000 (Dh367,200) bail. She was ordered to stay away from Keene and undergo a psychological evaluation to determine whether she needs counselling.

Brewer Rentas works as a commercial litigation attorney for a prominent law firm in Hollywood.

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