William Raus, a former Citizens Bank employee and Westport town official charged with three counts of recording a video focused up a woman’s skirt (“upskirting”), will not serve time in jail.

On August 20, a New Bedford District Court judge sentenced him to a two year suspended sentence with three months of GPS-monitored home confinement, except for work and medical appointments, and one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to stay away from the three victims and have no contact with them.

“I’m very happy with this just outcome," said Raus' attorney, J. W. Carney, Jr. “The judge put in a lot of thought. He will be punished, deterred, and continue along with his rehabilitation.”

Greg Milliotte, the director of communications for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, said, “We weren’t happy with the fact that he was not formally convicted and will not have to serve any time.”

Under current state law, there is no requirement for people convicted of “upskirting” to register as a sex offender.

Raus, who is now working nights at a warehouse in Fall River, wrote largely identical apology letters to his victims, opening each by saying “I’m sorry for the pain and embarrassment my actions have caused you.”

Dartmouth police began investigating Raus in August 2017 after receiving a call from a woman alleging a man she knew as "Bill the Banker," later identified as Raus, had taken pictures up her daughter's dress.

The woman's daughter called police to confirm what had happened. She told police Raus approached her while carrying his lunch bag with a phone sticking out of it, located near the woman's legs.

Police obtained surveillance footage which showed the suspcious activity, and stopped by the bank to interview Raus. According to court records, he admitted he had approached the woamn with his lunch bag and phone, and he told police "I might have had it taping, I'm not positive."

He then told police he did record it, intended to view it at a later time, and had done it before, according to court documents.

In the days after the interview, police received reports from two other women alleging upskirting incidents.

In a lengthy sentencing memorandum filed by Raus, pre-offense accomplishments are emphasized, as are his familial and work stress. In the memorandum, it was stated Raus and his wife were having marital problems, which the memorandum goes on to say is not to excuse, but give context for his “behavior.”