Sex-Crimes Prosecutor Accused of Raping Colleague Is Reinstated, Seeks AG's Recusal
A former sex-crimes prosecutor in California’s Contra Costa County who was indicted on charges he raped a junior colleague has been reinstated to his job by an arbitrator and is now seeking the recusal of the state attorney general’s office.
Michael Gressett, 54, was reinstated effective Feb. 1, although he will now be on paid leave, reports the Contra Costa Times.
He will also get full back pay and benefits, apparently dating back to his July 2009 firing, after a ruling earlier this month in which arbitrator Norman Brand agreed with Gressett that the prosecution is “tainted by political animosity.”
Gressett says he had consensual sex with the junior prosecutor. His lawyer, Michael Kotin, is now arguing that the AG’s office cannot fairly pursue Gressett’s case, since it was investigated by the district attorney’s office. He is seeking an independent evaluation.
Kotin also is arguing that the case against Gressett should be dismissed because neither the prosecution nor the defense was informed of a $450,000 civil settlement by the county with the alleged victim in the case. She is now living in Florida.
