//

(Image via iStock)

An Asotin County, Washington judge, Scott Gallina, was sentenced earlier this week to 15 months in jail. Making the fall from grace even more poignant — the sentencing occurred in the same courtroom in which he used to preside.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-top-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); });

Back in April, Gallina pleaded guilty to a felony — third-degree assault with sexual motivation — and a gross misdemeanor — fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation for assaults against two former co-workers.

Sponsored 5 Key Strategic Steps For Data Privacy Compliance Legal’s guide to keeping risk management manageable. From wlim

In handing out the sentence, Judge Michael Price commended the victims as “heroes,” saying, “I’m overwhelmed by your courage, and awestruck by your dignity. If you hadn’t spoken out, I have no doubt this outrageous behavior would’ve continued.”

As reported by Yahoo, Judge Price was unimpressed with the way Gallina comported himself in the run up to sentencing:

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-middle-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-storycontent-440x100" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-in-story-youtube-1x1" ); googletag.enableServices(); });

The judge told Gallina he bears him no ill will and knows it’s been difficult on his family, but he was “stunned” by what he read in the presentence investigation.

“It felt like you didn’t even try,” Price said.

Instead of demonstrating remorse for his actions, Gallina focused on his regrets about what the case did to his family, income and career, Price said. The blame was shifted to the victims, when Gallina continued to imply it was all nonsense, and the women were lying for some kind of monetary gain, the judge said.

“I was hoping you’d say, ‘my behavior was outrageous and wrong,’ and that you’re profoundly sorry,” Price said.

Melanie Tratnik of the State Attorney General’s Office argued for a 27-month sentence, pointing to a statement from one of the victims that the assault was “life-altering,” and that they’d suffered from a variety of mental health issues as a result. In arriving at the 15-month sentence, Price ultimately decided that the sentences should be served concurrently.

Sponsored Sponsored Just How Frivolous Is That 'Frivolous' Malpractice Suit? Join us for this free webinar with CLE credit presented with our friends at Embroker. Our expert panel will explore what steps lawyers should consider… From Embroker and Above The Law Sponsored 6 Ways Firms Can Win With Legal Tech In An Uncertain Market Now is the time to evaluate your firm’s technology strategy and reconfigure it for the future. From Above the Law Sponsored 5 Key Strategic Steps For Data Privacy Compliance Legal’s guide to keeping risk management manageable. From wlim Sponsored Why This CRM Is Different From The Others The legal CRM software designed entirely by lawyers is now available to the public. See what it can offer your practice. From Matterly and Above The Law

After he’s released from prison, Gallina must serve three years of community custody and register as a sex offender.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Enable lazy loading. googletag.pubads().enableLazyLoad({ renderMarginPercent: 150, mobileScaling: 2 }); // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-bottom-300x250" ); googletag.enableServices(); }); Sponsored Sponsored Why This CRM Is Different From The Others The legal CRM software designed entirely by lawyers is now available to the public. See what it can offer your practice. From Matterly and Above The Law Sponsored Is Your Firm An Internet Ghost? Digital Logic’s Proven Method Can Make You Real To Potential Clients Recently, the folks at Digital Logic met with Above the Law to walk us through the company’s Search Engine Optimization strategies, techniques, and the core… From Stephanie Wilkins Topics

Crime, Judges, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, The Jabot