Alleged rape victim airs horrific claims against high-flying Santa Barbara attorney

A Santa Barbara judge has ruled that the prosecution can proceed against attorney Andrew Alire, who is accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman in January 2025. The decision followed a preliminary hearing at which the woman described becoming suddenly impaired and said Alire took her to his home despite her repeated requests to go elsewhere.

The woman, identified in court as Jane Doe, said she had met Alire through an app and had sought a platonic connection. Bar surveillance footage shown in court appeared to show her struggling to stand and pushing his hand away; she also testified that he pushed her back down when she tried to sit up. Alire, a former deputy public defender, has pleaded not guilty to charges including rape of a drugged victim and oral copulation by intoxication, and is due to be re-arraigned next month on those charges and an additional count of rape by force.