Former Officer Robert Forman Accused of Using Badge to Get Sex

A former Riverside police officer accused of using his badge to force drug addicts and prostitutes to perform sexual favors testified Tuesday that he had oral sex with a woman while on duty and after investigating her.

Robert Forman said the incident was mutual and denied being sexually involved with two other accusers.

Forman is charged with three felonies, including sexual battery and oral copulation under the color of authority. If convicted, he could face up to 19 years in prison.

Forman described himself as a good cop while testifying in his own defense, but said he had violated certain Riverside Police Department policies, becoming complacent and lazy. At times, he failed to record interviews and to inform the station of his whereabouts. He paid one of his accusers $10 for information about drug activity in Riverside, pulling the money from his personal bank account.

He said he had oral sex with a woman shortly after investigating her for a crime, and he gave his personal cell phone number to people while on duty, including one of his accusers.

Forman cried on the witness stand, saying the situation had been a learning experience and had cost him his career, damaged the reputation of the department and hurt his family.

"I know how it looks," Forman said. "This is my time to tell what happened, so I'm here today telling you exactly what happened."

The officer of 11 years said he was not proud of his conduct but that he did not use his badge for sexual favors.

He explained that one prostitute was in his patrol car because he was giving her a ride. He denied helping the same woman steal $100 from one of her clients when she got into Forman's patrol car after failing to perform a sex act on the client.

Forman testified that when investigating a possible check fraud case in April 2008, he returned to the home where the operation was allegedly taking place without telling a fellow officer he was training.

"She asked if I'd come back and help her get these people out of here," Forman said. He cleared the home and looked in the bedroom closet to see if anyone was inside.

"She told me that it was a fantasy of hers, that she always wanted to be with a police officer in a sexual nature," Forman said.

Forman said the woman then led him to the bed and sat him down and began to have oral sex with him.

"She walked me outside and said that next time I came back, she wants to have sex with me," Forman testified.

The woman told investigators that Forman demanded sex from her or she would be arrested.

Forman is expected to continue testifying today.