Jury: Lawyer stole jail phone services
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A judge has found a Yakima defense lawyer guilty of stealing phone services from the Yakima County Jail.
Visiting Judge Brian Altman found Kimberly Grijalva guilty Monday of second-degree theft, saying he believed the lawyer knew her free phone privileges were being misused by a housemate and friend. The Yakima Herald-Republic says the theft charge is a felony.
The judge noted the volume of calls — more than 900 over a six-week period. He also found the lawyer guilty of a misdemeanor charge of introducing contraband into the jail, saying she let an inmate use her cell phone during a visit.
The lawyer has said she was unaware the private line was being used improperly and thought it was OK for an inmate to use her cell phone during a visit. She left court without comment.