WARNING: This story contains graphic sexual content that may be upsetting to some readers.
ASOTIN COUNTY, Wash. — A judge in southeastern Washington pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of sexual assault and other crimes that authorities say took place in the Asotin and Columbia county courthouses between 2014 and 2019.
Asotin County Superior Court Judge Scott. D. Gallina recently took administrative leave while his case proceeds. An order signed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Washington says Scott D. Gallina will be off work until further notice.
Gallina was arrested on April 10 at the Asotin County courthouse on charges of second-degree rape, indecent liberties and fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation. He was released on bond the next day.
Court documents said the investigation began when multiple Asotin County courthouse staff reported that Gallina had harassed, assaulted and raped personnel. It started as an internal investigation completed by the county's private insurance and risk management firm. The sheriff's office formally requested help from Washington State Patrol.
WSP detectives interviewed witnesses from April 8-10. Court documents said some of the allegations dated back to when Gallina was first appointed to the bench in 2014.
One woman said she was sexually harassed and assaulted by Gallina from May 2017 until recently. In court documents, the woman said Gallina would always lock the door when she was in his chambers. She said after a month of working at the courthouse, he started making inappropriate comments toward her.
"This included making comments about her breasts and unusual compliments related to her clothing. Mr. Gallina gave [victim] hugs and rubbed her shoulders on a routine basis [mainly after approaching from behind], without invitation and without her consent," documents said.
According to court documents, the woman said Gallina had "unzipped her dress from behind, removed her sweater, and touched her upper body to include her breasts."
In another incident, she said Gallina would ask her to lift up her shirt and when she did not, "Gallina lifted her shirt up and tore her blouse," documents said.
The woman described other times where she said Gallina touched her inappropriately.
"Mr. Gallina has placed his hands under her clothing and bra multiple times, touching her bare skin and breasts....He has also placed his hands on her upper thighs and moved them across her vagina but over her underwear....Mr. Gallina physically pushed her from behind, bent her over a desk, and proceeded to "grind" on her from behind. Mr. Gallina kept his clothes on but [the woman] could feel that Mr. Gallina had an erection when he pressed himself against her," documents stated.
The woman also told investigators he had "bit down on her left breast, causing the skin to break," documents said.
Court documents said he also kissed her on the mouth, nipples and breasts during the same incident when he bit her.
Court documents said during "the most severe incident" the woman said Gallina placed her in a "choke hold" and then proceeded to again "pull her breasts out of her clothing."
The woman said she was wearing a dress with no tights on when Gallina "reached his left hand underneath and up [victim's] dress and penetrated her vagina with his fingers through her underwear."
She said Gallina stopped only when someone knocked on the door. She said while she was in the choke hold "she could feel pressure across her face, her ears were ringing and her face began to get hot as she was being held," documents said.
The woman said she confronted Gallina about his actions and he stated "he could not help it because he liked beautiful women," documents said.
The woman reported Gallina's actions to another employee during late summer or fall of 2018.
According to court documents, another county employee said Gallina had physically restrained her so she could not move and she has resorted to physical resistance of his advances over the years.
The woman said in Sept. 2018 in the Columbia County courthouse, she was sitting in a chair when "Gallina grabbed her head and pushed it back and forcefully kissed her on the mouth without consent," documents said.
Court documents said that same month the woman wrote Gallina a letter that said, "Your actions are unwelcome, unwanted and infringe upon my dignity and principles. You must cease and desist from the kissing, gropings and the lewd and lascivious gestures and comments."
Documents said Gallina responded by text message saying, "I agree with you even though I don't want to."
RELATED: 9 courthouse employees reported sexual misconduct against Asotin Co. Superior Court Judge, docs say
Court documents said the county's contracted investigator interviewed nine woman who worked in the Asotin County Courthouse. All of the women reported "varying degrees" of sexual misconduct by Gallina from 2014 to the present, documents said.
According to court documents, "Some of the women reported that after Mr. Gallina was appointed to the bench they eventually developed what was referred to as a safety plan where they would keep track of each other in an effort to prevent anyone from being alone with Mr. Gallina, such as using the buddy system when going to his chambers."
Documents said many of the women were concerned for their safety due to Gallina's behavior and his authority as a judge.
The Lewiston Tribune reported that Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst appointed Whitman County Superior Court Judge Gary Libey as temporary presiding judge for Asotin, Columbia and Garfield counties.
She also provided a list of judges from nearby counties who are authorized to perform judicial duties in southeastern Washington.
Gallina’s attorney Carl Oreskovich says Gallina adamantly denied the charges.
His trial is expected to begin on Sept. 30, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.