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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Developer Harlan Douglass accused of slapping opposing lawyer

Spokane developer Harlan Douglass sits with his attorney Rob Cossey at the defendant's table for Douglass' first appearance in court before Superior Judge Gregory Sypolt, April 16, 2015, at the Spokane County Courthouse. Douglass was arrested for assaulting an opposing attorney in another case involving Douglass. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
For 24 hours, prominent Spokane developer Harlan Douglass was known as Spokane County Jail inmate number 401869. Douglass allegedly slapped an opposing lawyer and pushed him up against a wall following a heated dispute at the Spokane County Courthouse Wednesday. Court documents say Douglass assaulted Warren Robinson, an attorney for First American Title Insurance Co. around 11 a.m. Douglass is participating in a civil suit against the insurance company filed by C 1301 Properties over a property he planned to develop into a storage facility. He testified Wednesday morning at a bench trial before Judge John O. Cooney prior to the alleged assault. Douglass alleges First American failed to disclose a utilities easement at the current site of Self Storage Spokane, 214 S. Eastern Road, when the land – then vacant – was purchased by C 1031 Properties in 2007. The suit claims that the easement limited plans to build the storage complex. Douglass says First American owes the company $60,000, and attorney fees for a drawn-out legal battle that began in March 2009 and has reached the Washington appellate courts. According to court documents, Robinson told police he was in the hallway during a court recess and got into a discussion with Douglass. He said he tried to leave after Douglass became verbally aggressive. Robinson told police he put his hand on Douglass’ shoulder and said he was sorry he couldn’t settle out of court. That’s when Douglass slapped him across the left ear, then grabbed his wrist and pushed him up against a wall. Police arrested Douglass on investigation of third-degree assault. He was released from jail on his own recognizance Thursday. Douglass’ attorney, Rob Cossey, said neither he nor his client had any comment on the alleged assault. The civil suit was settled Thursday morning while Douglass was in jail. Attorney John Munding, who represented First American Title in the lawsuit, said Thursday that the terms of the settlement are confidential.