Delegate's Husband Sentenced in Sex Abuse
By Manuel Roig-Franzia, Washington Post Staff Writer
Originally published in The Washington Post, August 7, 2001
Raymond A. Cadden Sr., the husband of Maryland Del. Joan Cadden, was sentenced yesterday to five years of probation and ordered to register as a sex offender following his conviction last month on charges of sexually assaulting a relative from the time she was 6 until she turned 11.
Judge Raymond G. Thieme Jr. issued the sentence after hearing from the victim, now 18, who trembled and sobbed while reading a statement written in cursive in front of a courtroom swelling with her relatives.
Joan Cadden did not testify during the sentencing hearing, but she told probation officers preparing a presentencing report that her husband is innocent, according to family friend Richard C. Bittner.
Cadden's political career was a central issue in the case. Raymond Cadden testified that he was trying to protect his wife four years ago when he and other family members, including the victim's father, decided that he should attend counseling, rather than report the allegations to authorities.
Last December, the victim told her doctor about the abuse, and he reported it to authorities. The Washington Post does not generally identify victims of sexual assault.
The revelations about attempts to insulate Joan Cadden, an Anne Arundel Democrat, from political fallout have led to calls for her resignation by some Republicans. Cadden declined to comment, but Bittner said yesterday that she plans to plans to run for reelection next year.
The victim directed her tearful remarks at Raymond Cadden and some of her family members, who she said have turned against her since she came forward with the allegations.
"Why has the family treated me like I have done something wrong when I am the victim?" she asked.
The victim then began to sob, unable to continue reading her statement. In the front row, Joan Cadden, who had been sitting with her arms crossed, dabbed tears from the corners of her eyes.
Once the victim regained her composure, she admonished Raymond Cadden, 60, saying, "How could you destroy the family relationships and cause so much pain for so many people?"
The victim said she is often angry or sad, exercises obsessively and has been diagnosed with anorexia. Cadden, as part of his sentence, must pay her counseling bills.
As the victim walked back to her seat, she passed within a few feet of Joan Cadden, who stared straight ahead with her arms crossed, avoiding eye contact.
Two of Joan and Raymond Cadden's granddaughters testified on his behalf yesterday, portraying him as a loving man who taught them to swim and helped them cope with teenage crises, such as romantic breakups.
"I love my grandfather," one granddaughter said. "I've never felt uncomfortable with my grandfather."
Other supporters told Thieme that Cadden, who owns a home renovation business, is a generous volunteer in PTAs, youth sports and civic associations.
Raymond Cadden Jr., a child therapist for Catholic Charities, told Thieme that his family needs to heal. He then turned to the victim, who sat between her parents, and said warmly, "You haven't lost your family."
The victim frowned and shook her head.
When the victim left the courtroom, she had an angry exchange with several women who sat in the rows behind Joan Cadden.
One woman yelled at the victim, "I don't believe you."
