By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A former family court counselor charged with sexually abusing three girls at the Lower Manhattan courthouse is heading to trial next week.
Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday in the trial of Department of Juvenile Justice counselor Tony Simmons, 47, who will face rape and sex abuse charges pertaining to three underage female victims.
He allegedly had sexual contact with the teenagers in the elevator and other areas at the family court building at 60 Centre Street, where he was responsible for supervising and helping the girls he is accused of attacking.
Simmons had been promised a jail-free sentence in exchange for his guilty plea to the charges. But the deal was revoked on Nov. 15 after Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Cassandra Mullen decided he was not remorseful for what he'd admitted to doing.
His display of depravity "shocks the conscience of this court," the judge said at the proceeding last year.
The judge's reversal followed harsh criticism from Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr., who called the promised sentence of 10 years probation "an egregious breach of the public's trust."
At that appearance, Simmons turned down a new offer that would put him in prison for three years, followed by three years probation.
There is still time for Simmons to change his mind and take a plea before the beginning of his trial next week.
His lawyer did not return calls for comment on Friday.
