Lawyer Back At Work After Leave

Assistant City Attorney Milt Rowland is back at work after spending two weeks on administrative leave following his arrest for allegedly assaulting a Spokane police officer.

Rowland was arrested May 30 after police said he punched an officer in the jaw following an early morning car wreck. He was booked into jail and released on his own recognizance later that day.

Rowland is expected to be charged with third-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

City Manager Bill Pupo placed Rowland on paid leave so he could be assessed by a substance-abuse counselor.

Rowland returned to work last week.

“I’m in treatment now and hope to continue to represent the city to the best of my ability,” Rowland said Friday. He added he was “grateful for all the good wishes extended to me by friends and others in the Spokane Community.”

On the advice of his attorney, Rowland refused to comment on the alleged assault.

Pupo said Rowland’s future with the city will be decided after the case is resolved in court.

“We’ll have to see what the outcome is and what bearing that has on his ability to come to work,” Pupo said.

, DataTimes