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Taylor Sentenced To 6 Years Probation In Sex Case

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Former Giants star Lawrence Taylor was sentenced Tuesday to six years on probation for an encounter with an underage prostitute.

The girl, now 17, appeared in court with well-known attorney Gloria Allred and said afterward that Taylor should have gone to jail. The girl has been identified in court and by Allred only by her initials, C.F.

The teen denied she is a prostitute and said another man forced her to go to Taylor's hotel room in May 2010. She believes Taylor could tell that she had been beaten and that she was underage. She said Taylor took "something precious" from her and should be behind bars.

"I told him this was my first time and that I didn't feel comfortable but all he said was relax," the victim said.

WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi with comments from the victim outside the courthouse.

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Tuesday afternoon, Taylor told Fox News that "nothing happened here that she didn't want to happen." He went on to say "sometimes I make mistakes and I may go out there, but I didn't pick her up in no...playground."

Allred said the girl had wanted to read a victim-impact statement in court. The judge, however, said victims are entitled to speak only at felony sentencings. Taylor had pleaded guilty to misdemeanors.

"The defendant can be heard and the victim should have a right to be heard," Allred said.

Taylor's attorney said Allred is exploiting the girl.

"This young woman is being victimized once again," Arthur Aidala said. "It's just so sad that someone of the caliber of Gloria just stoops so low."

Taylor was arrested May 6 at a Holiday Inn in Montebello, N.Y., after the girl's uncle contacted New York City police. The ex-athlete was charged with third-degree rape because she was underage.

When he pleaded guilty to the lesser charges, Taylor admitting having intercourse with the girl, who turned out to be a Bronx runaway. He said she told him she was 19, but he added that he now knows the girl was 16 and legally incapable of consent. He said he paid her $300.

1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reports Taylor's attorney says Allred is exploiting the young woman.

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Taylor led the New York Giants to Super Bowl titles in 1987 and 1991. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

In 2009, he competed in ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." He had also been a spokesman for the weight-loss company NutriSystem, but he was dropped after his arrest.

Taylor also will have to abide by the conditions of a sex offender. But the judge postponed until April 12 a hearing to determine what level of sex offender will be assigned to him.

All sex offenders have to report their address annually and report any changes in 10 days.

In Level 1 and 2, offenders have to get their picture taken every three years; in Level 3, it's every year. Level 3 offenders also have to report the name and address of their employer and advise of any change.

John Caher, spokesman for the state Criminal Justice Services Division, said that although Level 1 offenders aren't posted on a public website, anyone who calls the division can find out if a person is a sex offender.

Allred would not say whether her client plans to sue Taylor.

Two other members of the Giants' 1991 Super Bowl team are behind bars. Mark Ingram Sr., a star receiver, is spending nearly 10 years in federal prison for money laundering, bank fraud and bail jumping. And the electrifying kick returner Dave Meggett was sentenced last year to 30 years for criminal sexual conduct and burglary.

Does the punishment fit the crime, or did Taylor get off easy? Sound off in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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