A Texas real estate developer and reality TV personality pleaded guilty Monday, April 29, to misdemeanor sexual battery for assaulting an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his vacation home in Laguna Beach in 2021.
Four additional counts of sexual battery and one count of rape were dismissed for lack of evidence against William Lewald Hutchinson, 65, who starred in the Lifetime reality TV series “Marrying Millions” and whose company, Dunhill Partners, owns the Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel.
Hutchinson, who lives in Dallas, avoided jail time during his sentencing in Orange County Superior Court. Instead, he was placed on three years probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.
In the original complaint, Hutchinson was accused of sexually assaulting two 16-year-old girls whom he brought with him from Texas during several trips to his Laguna Beach residence.
Prosecutors alleged in April 2021 that Hutchinson raped one of the teenagers and committed four acts of sexual battery against her. He was accused of committing sexual battery against the second girl during a second visit a month later.
One of the girls said through her attorney, Brian Gurwitz, that she was pleased the prosecution dismissed the charges against Hutchinson they claimed involved her.
“Bill Hutchinson has always treated me with kindness,” she said. “He never once acted inappropriately toward me. I never should have been a part of this case.”
Three women also have a civil suit pending against Hutchinson in Dallas alleging he victimized them.
One of the women, who is seeking more than $1 million in damages and was identified as “Jane Doe” in the suit filed Friday, is a college student who resides in McLennan County, Texas.
She stated in the suit that she became acquainted with Hutchinson on social media and began messaging him on Instagram.
“Jane Doe was interested in Hutchinson’s successful business career and hoped to receive career advice from Hutchinson or maybe a connection for a job or internship,” the lawsuit states. “She forwarded her resume at Hutchinson’s request and soon relayed her life story to Hutchinson — confiding in him about hardships she had faced throughout her life as well as her educational and career goals. Jane Doe made it very clear that she sought a professional relationship with Hutchinson.”
Hutchinson was aware of her vulnerability due to her hardships and attempted to manipulate her into a sexual relationship even though she repeatedly told him she was only interested in a friendship and mentorship with him because of his success in real estate and business, the suit states.
Over time, Hutchinson arranged for her to meet him in Dallas. On June 6, 2020, Hutchinson had his driver pick up the woman nearly 100 miles away and bring her to the luxury 16-story Virgin Hotel, partly owned and operated by Dunhill Partners.
During a meeting at the hotel, Hutchinson attempted to sexually assault the woman and ordered several drinks, resulting in her becoming intoxicated, the suit alleges.
“Hutchinson then took Jane Doe to an apartment near the hotel that he owned,” the suit states. “Jane Doe was so intoxicated that she could not walk straight. Despite being clearly intoxicated, Hutchinson continued to touch Jane Doe. Jane Doe made efforts not to go into the apartment by suggesting they go to the pool. Unfortunately, she was unable to convince Hutchinson to go to the pool.”
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Once in the apartment, Hutchinson allegedly pushed the woman down on the bed, grabbed her hand and put it on his penis and touched her breast without her consent, the suit states.
Michelle Simpson Tuege, an attorney representing the three women, said she is heartened a victim came forward in the Orange County case resulting in a criminal conviction against Hutchinson.
“I applaud the courage of this survivor, whose bravery in coming forward not only led to a measure of justice for what she went through, but also helped shine a light on the actions of a man who is now a registered sex offender,” she said. “It is not easy to come forward against a public person and stand in your truth waiting years for a court date, but this survivor’s courage shows the potential impact of every voice.”
In an interview with Fox News about the reality show before the criminal case was filed, Hutchinson described his belief that women are more mature than men, and that older men “will be a gentleman” and take care of younger women.
“I’ve always thought that a really good working relationship is where there is an age gap,” Hutchinson told Fox News. “It doesn’t have to be 40 years. It could be five years. It could be 10 years. But when there is an age gap, there is an automatic respect for the elder — her to me. And there’s an automatic caring — me to her — for the younger one.”