Parental alienation is a destructive weapon in a custody dispute. A mother or father who tries to turn their child against their former partner can inflict serious harm, such as emotional wounds and even tattered parent-child relationships. However, a lawsuit alleges that a vengeful mother went even farther, using her position in the criminal justice system to destroy the father of the two children they share.
A recent federal lawsuit accuses Assistant District Attorney Amanda Goun of concocting assault and child abuse charges against her husband, health-care reporter Joseph Goldstein, to gain an advantage in their contentious custody proceeding. According to Goldstein’s complaint, Goun called the police to make false allegations that he was abusing their children, and even coached the children to lie on her behalf.
After New York Police Department officers investigated and found no justification to file charges, Goldstein alleges that Goun refused to stop her campaign against him. He says that she then contacted a colleague in the Manhattan DA’s office to bring charges against Goldstein. Subsequently, he was accused of endangering the welfare of a child and other charges. An order of protection was also issued, preventing Goldstein from seeing his children. Goun’s colleague, Lawrence Newman, is also named as a defendant in Goldstein’s lawsuit.
Parental alienation occurs when a mother or father deliberately attempts to distance their children from the other parent, often by portraying them negatively and goading the children to express objections or fears. The circumstances described in the lawsuit suggest a calculated effort to manipulate legal outcomes by engineering false allegations.
Mitigating the impact of parental alienation demands proactive measures. Courts may employ expert witnesses, such as child psychologists, to assess the situation independently. A guardian ad litem or custody evaluator can offer unbiased insights into the family dynamics, balancing perspectives to safeguard the child’s welfare. Additionally, mediation and therapeutic approaches can provide avenues for healing and resolution outside adversarial court settings.
Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C. has extensive experience with the complexities and emotional challenges of high-conflict custody disputes, including cases involving parental alienation. Our experienced attorneys are committed to advocating for fair outcomes and protecting the best interests of children involved. If you are dealing with a contentious custody situation, please call 631-388-6009 or contact us online.