Eric Hendricks is the grandson of aging tycoon Lawrence Hendricks, Sr.. Eric originally believed his grandfather's innocence in both drugging and raping a waitress, Sarah Morrissey, whom Eric had sex with, but also placing the drugs in Eric's room to set him up for the crime.
The justice system was irked by Sr.'s defense of faking dementia, partly for Eric's aunt Cynthia to take over the family business. When Eric was told Sr. raped his mother years ago, he testified in Sarah's defense, which resulted in Sr. lashing out at and insulting Eric while he was still on the stand. (SVU: "Decline and Fall")