Vermont State Police Following a lengthy investigation, the Vermont State Police has cited Leonard Forte, 79, of LaBelle, Florida, on suspicion of two counts of obstruction of justice. The charges arise from an ongoing criminal prosecution related to allegations that Forte raped a young girl more than 30 years ago in Vermont.
Forte, who was described as a former law enforcement officer with the New York Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, was convicted by a Vermont jury in 1988 of three counts of rape of a 12-year-old girl. Forte appealed his conviction, and a motion for a new trial was granted in 1989.
Between 1989-1996, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office twice went to the Vermont Supreme Court in attempts to get the new trial order set aside and the verdict reinstated. In 1997, the Attorney General’s Office refiled charges, and Forte, who indicated he was awaiting a heart transplant, claimed he was too sick to stand trial. The state of Vermont entered into a stipulation with Forte that he provide the state with a medical update every six months.
From 1997 until November 2019, the state of Vermont relied on representations in Forte’s medical records, including his admission to hospice in 2016, that he was physically unable to travel. In November 2019, an investigative report in USA Today called into question Forte’s claims of his dire physical condition.
Members of the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, in collaboration with special agents assigned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, conducted a joint investigation into Forte’s claims.
Investigators determined that Forte misrepresented his health claims and his inability to travel to Vermont. Based on these allegations, Forte will be charged with two counts of Obstruction of Justice, a violation of Title 13 VSA section 3015.
Forte was issued a citation through his attorney to appear for arraignment at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Bennington. This case is being prosecuted by members of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. The Vermont State Police is unable to comment further at this time. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Forte’s arraignment. Members of the media should call the Court Clerk’s Office prior to arraignment to confirm details of the hearing.
CASE#: 21B402593
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Sgt. Henry Alberico
STATION: VSP Rutland
CONTACT#: 802-773-9101
DATE/TIME: Between the years of 1997 and 2019
INCIDENT LOCATION: Between the states of Florida and Vermont
VIOLATION: Obstruction of Justice (two counts), Title 13 VSA section 3015
ACCUSED: Leonard Forte
AGE: 79
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: LaBelle, Florida
VICTIM: (The Vermont State Police does not release the names of victims of
sexual assault or domestic violence.)
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