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Jul 18, 2008 6:07 pm US/Pacific
Attorneys Accused Of Bribing Teen Assault Victim
MARYSVILLE (CBS13) ―
Two local attorneys are accused of trying to bribe a teenage
girl with $100,000 to keep quiet after, she says, she was sexually assaulted by
her boss.
The suspect, who owns a Marysville tow yard, denies sexually assaulting the
girl. That allegation has all taken a back seat to what his former attorney and
the victim's former attorney are accusing of doing.
Mitchell's Towing is where the 17-year-old alleged victim worked as a
dispatcher. She reportedly told police her boss, Joe Griesa, physically and sexually
assaulted her, allegedly sending her text messages like: "You're sexy. I
miss you so much. Not getting with you is killing me."
"Once all the evidence comes out I am absolutely certain I am going to be
cleared of any wrongdoing," said Griesa.
By phone today Griesa denied that but did drop a bombshell, saying the attorney
he first hired to represent him, David Vasquez, tried to get him to do
something that "wasn't above board." Calls to Vasquez were not
returned.
The allegations are that Vasquez and the victim's attorney Jesse Santana agreed
that the suspect would pay the victim $100,000. Court documents show a receipt
for $50,000 in advance money, then a document reading "this confirms we
have agreed to settle claims against Jose Griesa. In exchange, the client, that
being the victim will request criminal charges not be filed."
"I can see how it looks and the timing is bad, but that goes back to the
district attorney. They sat on this case. They knew about this case for many
months. They have done virtually nothing on this case," said Roberto
Marquez, attorney.
Marquez represents the victim's former attorney, Jesse Santana, who allegedly
agreed to this deal. He says Santana did nothing wrong. But then there's this:
Santana sent this letter to police saying the victim wanted to put all this
behind her and would not testify against the suspect if subpoenaed; that's when
police told the district attorney that something was fishy.
"Part of the agreement is that she would be asking -- not demanding -- but
asking the district attorney not to file charges," said Marquez.
Marquez blames the DA for losing sight of, what he says, is really important.
"If you really believe this victim was victimized, then why aren't you
doing something about the perpetrator?" asked Marquez.
The district attorney, who wouldn't go on camera today, said the conduct of the
two attorneys has "frustrated the criminal investigation."
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