Wednesday,  December 11 , 2024

Linkedin Pinterest
News / Northwest

Judge may face more sex crime charges

By Associated Press
Published: June 20, 2019, 8:12pm

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — The Washington state attorney general’s office wants to file more sex crime charges against a judge because investigators say they’ve identified a third victim.

The Lewiston Tribune reported Scott D. Gallina, an Asotin County Superior Court judge, has already been charged with second-degree rape, indecent liberties and fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.

The Attorney General’s Office now wants to file additional fourth-degree assault charges, after a woman told Washington State Police investigators that Gallina groped her buttocks and made inappropriate comments to her.

Several women have reported Gallina subjected them to workplace sexual misconduct from the time he was appointed to the bench in 2014 until the investigation was launched this spring. Investigators said in some cases the women couldn’t remember details and in others, the two-year statute of limitations for sexual assault charges had already passed.

Gallina was arrested April 10. He has pleaded not guilty.

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Community Funded Journalism logo
Loading...