JERSEY CITY - The woman fighting to keep her job as a sheriff's officer after videos surfaced of her in bondage films has accused a Hudson County attorney of sexual misconduct.

Kristen Hyman says county attorney Robert Pompliano rubbed his hand up her leg while she was on leave from the academy and tried to kiss her on the lips. Hyman rebuffed his advances and Pompliano retaliated by pushing the Hudson County Sheriff's Department to bring administrative charges, Hyman's attorney Doug Anton said.

Hyman first discussed the sexual misconduct allegation when she testified during a disciplinary hearing. Anton said Hyman had repressed the 2016 encounter.

The accusations are a stunning new twist to Hyman's protracted fight to perform her duties as a sheriff's officer. Hyman was first suspended just days before her graduation. A judge ordered the suspension be lifted in time for her June 1 graduation, but she has remained on paid leave pending the outcome of the departmental probe of her past.

According to Anton, Hyman suffered a leg injury and needed to take a medical leave from the academy. She was assigned to the sheriff's intake office, where she would encounter Pompliano and on one occasion the attorney told Hyman how beautiful she was. Pompliano leaned in for a kiss on the lips and Hyman pushed back, but the attorney still kissed her on the cheek, Anton said.

Pompliano has not returned multiple emails seeking comment. He's listed as a part-time attorney who is paid about $44,000 a year.

It was about six or seven months later that the county brought the departmental charges against Hyman. The Sheriff's Office alleges Hyman lied about her past on her application, but Anton says she did report being an actress and the dominatrix films were "clearly an acting role."

The videos first came to light when Hyman's ex-boyfriend "made it his mission to paint her movie roles in a false light." He had enlisted help from a current sheriff's officer to spread rumors about Hyman's past and say she was a drug addict who was having sex in the basement for money, Anton said.

Departmental charges were allegedly prepared by Pompliano and signed by Undersheriff Bruce Lamparello, who retired last month. Sheriff Frank Schillari allegedly admitted to not seeing the reports, according to Anton.

A spokesman for the sheriff declined to comment.

Pompliano was assigned to be the prosecuting attorney for the sheriff's office in the departmental case. Hyman left the room after she accused Pompliano of sexual misconduct during her testimony, and Pompliano admitted he did touch her, Anton said. Pompliano said he couldn't remember what comments he made, Anton said.

The county lawyer removed himself from the case and a new attorney has been assigned. Pompliano has been accused by at least four other women of sexual misconduct, according to Anton, who said he was present when three officers and a house keeper filed internal affairs complaints. Sources say more women may be coming forward with similar allegations.

"I want to blame the sheriff because the buck stops with him, but the fact of the matter is he (expected) his underlings to do their job," Anton said. "He had no idea Mr. Pompliano had a reason to want to get rid of my client and the reason is she rebuffed him and he's just cleaning house."

A county spokesman said an outside attorney is being hired to review the allegations against Pompliano and any other allegations that may be brought up during the course of Hyman's hearing, which will pick up again next month.

Anton has motioned to have the charges dismissed because Hyman was not a sheriff's officer when she made any films. Her last acting job was in January 2013 and she played the role of a nurse.

Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.