He Said, She S.A.I.D (Sexual Allegations in Divorce)…And Then He Went to Jail
by Bruce McLaughlin

It is a parent’s worst nightmare. The police bursting into your suburban home, accosting you in bed, arresting you, and hauling you off to jail. All while your 10-year-old son watches from the shadows in terror.

Bruce McLaughlin lived through this nightmare in May of 1998. He was booked that night on charges of abusing his children—falsely accused by his wife amid an emotionally charged divorce that had already permanently shattered and scarred their family.

In this first-hand account of the months and years that followed that night, Bruce shares his confusion, fear, rage, and indignation as he was booked, tried, convicted, and jailed for an abhorrent crime he did not commit. Even as an attorney, Bruce found himself ill-prepared for the challenges he faced in proving his innocence, restoring his reputation, and rebuilding a life.

Bruce McLaughlin’s story is a cautionary tale for any parent contemplating divorce. “More than 80% of abuse accusations leveled amid divorce proceedings,” he warns, “prove to be false.” Now an advocate for those falsely accused, Bruce’s experiences, insights, and advice are required reading for any parent contemplating divorce. “You have to go into the process prepared and with your eyes wide open. I did neither.”

5 out of 5 fairies

As I’m sitting here writing this, my stomach is still twisting. This was an absolutely gut-wrenching story that made my skin crawl. I cannot imagine living through this. Although it was difficult to read, (although well written), I think it’s an important read. The last bit of the blurb is, I think, the most important. In an ideal world, no one would have to endure what Bruce and his children did. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that world, and it’s important that anyone looking to divorce be prepared to fight for themselves. Highly recommend, although you may need to read this in small chunks as it can be emotionally overwhelming.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bruce W. McLaughlin is a proud retired Army JAG officer and an attorney who runs his own law firm in Leesburg, Virginia.

As a criminal defense attorney falsely accused and jailed during an emotionally charged divorce, McLaughlin found himself ill-prepared for the challenges to proving his innocence. “More than 80% of abuse accusations leveled amid divorce proceedings prove to be false,” McLaughlin has since learned. He was one of the very, very few with the expertise, resources, and network necessary to eventually overturn his conviction—after spending 4 years in jail for an abhorrent crime he did not commit. Bruce’s eventual redemption allowed him to restore his law license, reputation, and life. He continues to rebuild his relationship with his four children.

Bruce McLaughlin captures his experiences and shares his lessons learned in He Said, She S.A.I.D, a cautionary tale for any parent contemplating divorce. An advocate for the falsely accused, McLaughlin focuses his general practice on helping the underdog and those unable to help themselves. He blogs about his journey to developing a thriving law practice across the street from the same courthouse that sentenced him to 13 years in prison.

Bruce lives with his family in Frederick, Maryland, and is an avid cyclist who loves to ride in the Catoctin Mountain’s foothills. He spends his free time with his family and helping recovering addicts at the local Frederick Rescue Mission transition back into the workplace.

For more information about Bruce, his book, and his work, visit www.hesaidshesaidbook.com

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