Former judge sentenced to 15 months

ASOTIN–Former Garfield County Superior Court Judge Scott D. Gallina was sentenced to 15 months in prison after accepting a plea bargain and pleading guilty to two charges: third-degree assault with sexual motivation and fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, Judge Michael P. Price of Spokane ordered on July 11.

The Attorney General’s office recommended that Gallina be sentenced to the high end of the sentencing range of one to three months on each count to run consecutively for a total confinement of 27 months, which would have been three months plus the mandatory 12-month sexual motivation enhancement for the Assault 3rd° charge (a Class C felony), plus 364 days for the Assault 4th° charge (a Gross Misdemeanor). Judge Price ordered the sentences to run concurrently.

Two Asotin County Clerk employees alleged sexual misconduct in the workplace by Gallina, the original Probable Cause statement indicating up to nine victims in Asotin County but eventually including other victims and witnesses in Garfield and Columbia counties, dating back to 2007, when Gallina was a defense attorney, court records show.

Gallina denied the alleged behavior and indicated that the victims may have been motivated by financial gain, court records indicated.

“I admit that the probable cause statement contains sufficient facts to support the court’s finding of guilt (SIC) sexual motivation is part of the charge. I pled guilty to take advantage of the plea bargain being offered me,” Gallina wrote in response to a DOC request for a statement.

Following release from prison, Gallina was ordered to be on community custody for 36 months, and register as a sex offender for 10 years. He was ordered to pay $500 for Victim’s Fund, $200 for filing fees and a $100 DNA collection fee. In addition, Price ordered that Gallina pay restitution for the victim’s counseling costs.

Both Asotin County victims indicated that Gallina’s actions caused serious personal difficulties, requiring counseling. No-contact orders for the two victims were part of the plea agreement.

He was also ordered to undergo a mental health assessment and a sex offender treatment evaluation and follow the recommending program within the prison facility or within 30 days of release, at his own cost.

Gallina, who had served as a Superior Court Judge in the Hells Canyon Circuit of Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties from May, 2014, through his arrest in April, 2019, had no prior criminal history.

The former judge indicated he will surrender his Washington law license, according to the presentence investigation report issued by the Department of Corrections (DOC), and that he does not plan to practice law following his release from prison.

Gallina reported to DOC officials on August 8, 2022.