Judge declines to dismiss more charges against Griesa attorneys

A Yuba County visiting judge on Friday declined to dismiss more charges against Yuba-Sutter attorneys David Vasquez and Jesse Santana, giving them until Oct. 1 to enter pleas to felony charges of obstructing justice.

Vasquez and Santana are charged with offering $100,000 to a 17-year-old girl in an attempt to prevent her from cooperating with authorities in the Joseph Patrick Griesa sex case. Griesa was sentenced Friday to five years probation and 270 days in jail.

Attorneys for Vasquez and Santana, Michael Barrette and Roberto Marquez, said they will take Judge John Darlington's ruling to the 3rd District Court of Appeal.

Besides obstruction of justice, Vasquez and Santana are still charged with trying to dissuade the girl from cooperating. Darlington earlier ruled their actions did not meet the definition of bribery.

Marquez maintained Friday that Santana was charged to prevent him from winning a Sutter County judgeship.

If the appellate court does not rule in Santana's favor, he will win a jury trial in Yuba County, Marquez said in a press release.

"The government's weak and putrid evidence will offend the (sense) of justice and the citizens of Yuba County. Mr. Santana will be acquitted and vindicated," Marquez said.

Marquez and Barrette told Darlington the grand jury that indicted Vasquez and Santana was not properly instructed about the girl's right not to cooperate with authorities.

The offer of $100,000 was a lawful civil compromise, Marquez said.

"There was nothing illegal about the victim not talking to police," Barrette said.

Darlington also rejected the defense argument that Yuba County Judge Julia Scrogin should not have presided over the grand jury because of previous animosity between her and Santana.

CONTACT Rob Youngat 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com.