57-year-old Seeman made his first court appearance Friday, facing charges of systematically looting his neighbor of her financial fortune. He had nothing to say. "We have no comments to make. I haven't seen any of the discovery. We haven't even had a chance to read the complaint or the amended complaint that we just received, and have no comments beyond that at this time," said attorney Michael Markowitz.
Court papers filed by the Alameda County district attorney accuse Seeman of siphoning his neighbor of her fortune. According to the documents, Seeman befriended his neighbor, 97-year-old Anne Nutting, who died two years ago, in 1998. By 2004, he had taken over almost all of her finances, adding his name on her bank and investment accounts which at the time, totaled $2.2 million. Prosecutors are also charging Seeman with perjury for failing to disclose annual income required by law.
In a statement that reads in part, the Alameda County district attorney said, "The alleged conduct of Judge Seeman is both disturbing and disappointing. His alleged conduct is in no way a reflection of the outstanding caliber of judicial officers serving Alameda County."
Seeman did not enter a plea. His next court appearance is July 3.
