Lawyer arrested for kissing judicial employee

A criminal defense attorney has been arrested for kissing a female judicial marshal "a peck" he said was intended as a Christmas greeting.

Photo: Lawyer arrested for kissing judicial employee

Ralph Crozier, 55, was arrested on a disorderly conduct charge Thursday for kissing the marshal at Waterbury Superior Court on Dec. 22.

"This is the biggest baloney I've ever seen in my life," Crozier was quoted as saying Friday by The Republican-American. "How many tens of thousands of people in Connecticut wished their co-workers and friends 'Merry Christmas' the day before Christmas?"

Crozier said state police investigators told him the marshal did not invite him to kiss her, which was why criminal charges were filed.

He said a security video that investigators say captured the incident will prove he meant nothing sexual by the kiss and that the incident is an example of political correctness run amok, reports AP.

"It was a Christmas greeting. I had no intention to annoy or harass anybody," Crozier said. "This was a peck on the cheek. That was the extent. There was nothing here that was weird or sexual."

Crozier is free on bond, reports AP.