Article author:
Associated Press
WA ASOTIN (AP) — A former judge in southeastern Washington pleads guilty to sexually assaulting two former court officials over several years and sentences them to 15 months in prison. was done.
Spokane County Judge Michael Price sentenced Scott Galina last month, the Lewiston Tribune reported. After hearing statements from the victim, the former judge, Galina's family, the state and the defendant's attorney, Price delivered his decision, which ranged from 13 months in prison to 27 months for him. Met.
In April Galena was charged with third-degree sexually-motivated assault, felony, fourth-degree sexually-motivated assault, and serious misdemeanor charges as part of a plea bargain. pleaded guilty to the crime. And the rape and obscene liberty charges were dismissed. He was previously a Superior Court Judge in Asotin, Garfield, and Columbia Counties.
Price praised women as heroes who have spoken out against prevalent sexual harassment and assault in the workplace. I was thinking,” he said. "I have no doubt that this outrageous behavior would have continued if you hadn't spoken out."
The judge did not mean Galena, but was "stunned" by what he read in the current investigation. He said.
Instead of showing remorse for his actions, Galina focused on regret about what the incident had done to his family, income, and career. was passed on to the victim, and Galina continued to insinuate that it was all nonsense, and that the women were lying for some sort of financial gain, the judge said. My actions were outrageous and wrong,' and I wanted them to reflect deeply," Price said.
Galina said in court that he had nothing but remorse and empathy and accepted responsibility for what happened.
Attorney Melanie Tratnik of the State Attorney General's Office said Galena's actions affected the entire court and his criminal behavior turned a victim's dream job into a nightmare.
A woman no longer working in the courts spoke of a "life-changing" ordeal and ongoing problems stemming from sexual abuse by those in power.
During her last three years, she suffered from anxiety, depression, insomnia, shame, guilt, fear, and loss of intimate relationships, but she said that this woman had gone before her. she said she was proud of.
The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted.
Tratnik insisted on his 27 months' imprisonment, but Price ruled that the sentencing of each conviction should be simultaneous, not consecutive. Galina was ordered to register as a sex offender and he must complete three years of joint custody upon release from prison.
