Former Sens executive Randy Lee pleads guilty to harassment

Former Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Randy Lee pleaded guilty Thursday to harassing a 19-year-old male hotel shuttle driver.

Lee, 57, entered the pleato a violation charge of harassment in Buffalo City Court just before his nonjury trial was to begin.

He declined comment when leaving the courthouse.

The 57-year-oldwas charged withinappropriately touching himself while making lewd comments and rubbing the shoulders of the driver while attending the NHL's pre-draft scouting combine in May.

• Ottawa Senators assistant GM charged with harassment
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He was sentenced to time already served one night in jail and ordered to pay a $120 surcharge for pleading guilty.

The maximum penalty for harassment is 15 days in jail and a $250 fine.

The driver's attorney, Charles Desmond, said the plea "confirms my client's version of what happened."

Lee was suspended by the Senators and resigned in August after 23 years with the team, including the past five as assistant general manager and GM of the team's American Hockey League affiliate.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn told The Associated Press he was prepared to proceed with the trial after rejecting Lee's offer to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, also a violation.

Flynn said he consulted with the victim, who was adamant that Lee plead guilty to harassment.

Flynn also said he had taped evidence he was prepared to play in court of Lee acknowledging the driver's accusations after being arrested.

"Yes, he confessed," Flynn said.

"That evening, he made admissions to the Buffalo Police Department."

Arrested at hotel

Lee was arrested on May 31 at his downtown Buffalo hotel, which is about a five-minute drive from HarborCenter, a hockey and hotel complex that was hosting the combine.

According to a police report, Lee was picked up by the driver at a HarborCenter restaurant and bar and asked to sit in the front passenger seat.

Lee then began touching and eventually massaging the driver's shoulder despite being told to stop.

The driver then became frightened when he looked around the streets for help while stopped at a red light, and Lee said: "Don't worry, no one will see us." He then grabbed the driver's shoulder for a third time.

At that point, Lee turned in his seat to face the driver and made lewd comments while touching his own genitalia. Lee stands at least six-foot-two, about a foot taller than the driver.

Upon dropping Lee off at the hotel, the driver alerted hotel security, who then contacted police.

The AP does not generally identify victims of a sex crime.

Driver in counselling

Desmond previously said the driver is in counselling and taking medication after experiencing "emotional distress."

While most harassment cases don't make it to trial, Flynn said he was obligated to continue because of the driver's wishes.

"The difference here was that I had a victim who was violated and who was strongly willing to come forward and testify in court," Flynn said.

"And when I have a victim who has that posture, I have to respect that, and I have to do my job to give the victim justice."