STILLWATER - A Bayport man has been charged with providing alcohol to a 16-year-old girl and inappropriately touching her in a sexual manner.

Washington County prosecutors on Thursday charged Michael Bergum with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and providing alcohol to a minor, stemming from a July 14 incident at his home.

Bergum's attorney Craig Cascarano this morning said his client is innocent.

"We adamantly deny the charges and we're anxious to get the case in front of a jury because we are confident Mike will be vindicated," Cascarano said.

Bergum, 35, operates Mortgage Financial Services, Inc., located in downtown Stillwater. Bayport Police are also currently investigating other complaints similar to the current charges.

"We are aware that he's under investigation for other allegations, but we're very confident he's not going to be charged in those other (instances)," Cascarano said.

According to the criminal complaint, the 16-year-old victim is a friend of Bergum's 16-year-old daughter. The victim stayed overnight at the suspect's home during the weekend of July 14.

The complaint states that Bergum's daughter, and the victim and her 17-year-old boyfriend were at the house watching movies until Bergum came home at about 4 p.m. The suspect then offered the victim and her boyfriend alcohol, and the victim told police she drank four to six beers from 4-8 p.m.

Bergum was also drinking with the teens, and at about 11 p.m. he started mixing drinks with vodka and cranberry juice. The victim said she consumed two mixed drinks by midnight.

Later that night in the garage, Bergum offered the boyfriend and girlfriend a clear liquid he called "gorilla."

The pair drank a cap full of the liquid each. Afterward, the 16-year-old girl said she felt dizzy and told police she was "out of it." As they walked back into the house, the victim told police that Bergum grabbed her breasts and became "very touchy."

At about 1 a.m., Bergum's daughter - who had not been drinking - and the two other teens decided to go out for food. While sitting on her boyfriend's lap in the passenger seat, the victim leaned over toward the car radio, when Bergum, who had run up to the car, put his hands up her shorts and inappropriately touched her.

The girl became upset, moved to the backseat of the car and eventually went back inside the home. As she lay down in a bedroom, the suspect lay down next to her and grabbed her behind. Later, the girl became sick and vomited.

The victim told police that Bergum has inappropriately grabbed or touched her "about 10 times" in the past.

Washington County Attorney Doug Johnson this morning easily summarized his feelings about the incident.

"I can sum that up in one word - sick," Johnson said. "This guy is seducing young women into illegal behavior and then taking advantage of them. He's victimizing this girl and we need to put a stop to it."

The felony sexual assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of $30,000, while the furnishing alcohol to a minor charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

In July, Bergum was convicted of fifth-degree possession of cocaine, and terms of that condition included abstaining from alcohol for three years.

A court date has yet to be scheduled.