Boston IRS Agent Accused Of Raping Intern Pleads Not Guilty

BOSTON, MA — A Boston IRS agent who allegedly got a 21-year-old intern drunk, handcuffed her and then shoved his gun into her mouth before raping her pleaded not guilty to a series of charges in connection with that incident this summer, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

IRS agent James Clarke, 44 pleaded not guilty to charges that included aggravated rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and indecent assault and battery. The alleged incident took place on the evening of July 26, 2017, when Clarke allegedly invited the intern for drinks after work and then offered to drive her to South Station to catch a train while she was drunk.

While parked in his IRS-issued car in the Government Center garage, prosecutors said, Clarke handcuffed the woman – initially under the guise of showing her what it was like given her interest in law enforcement work. Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum told the court that Clarke groped the 21-year-old intern, placed his service weapon into her throat, and subjected her to sexual contact against her will. Polumbaum said an additional assaultive act occurred in the car outside South Station after Clarke had driven the intern there.

The woman then got out of Clarke's car and called a friend to tell them what happened, Polumbaum said. She then called 911, prompting a medical response and a criminal investigation by the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit and Suffolk DA’s office. That investigation culminated in Clarke’s March 7 indictment by the Suffolk County Grand Jury.

Polumbaum, chief of the DA’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, recommended that Clarke’s bail be set at $10,000. Assistant Clerk Magistrate Edward Curley did not impose monetary bail but granted Polumbaum’s request for orders that Clarke have no contact with the victim or any witness and not leave Massachusetts without the court’s permission.

The indictments follow a joint investigation by the Sexual Assault Units of the Boston Police Department and Suffolk DA’s office that included multiple interviews, forensic testing, review of medical records, and an exhaustive grand jury presentation.

Clarke is set to return to court May 9.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone.

While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.

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