Va. man faces charges in spanking case

RICHMOND, Va. – A Virginia Beach man is facing charges after three young women who agreed to be spanked in exchange for money say he took it too far.

Fifty-four-year-old Henry Allen Fitzsimmons agreed to provide college tuition and a $200 weekly allowance to the women as part of the so-called Spencer Scholarship Plan. In return, the women agreed to be spanked if they violated certain rules, such as failing to call Fitzsimmons or drinking alcohol.

A judge on Thursday allowed a grand jury to decide whether to indict Fitzsimmons on two felony abduction charges and three felony object sexual penetration charges.

Six other assault and sexual battery charges were dropped because the women had agreed to the spankings.

Fitzsimmons' attorney says the bar and restaurant owner did not commit a crime.