Motion To Dismiss Gressett Charges Denied

Bay City News

A judge in Martinez today denied a defense motion to dismiss charges against Michael Gressett, a Contra Costa County sex crimes prosecutor accused of raping a colleague in 2008, according to Gressett's attorney Daniel Russo.

Gressett, 54, was charged in a 13-count grand jury indictment in 2009 with raping and sodomizing a junior colleague during a lunch break at his house in Martinez in May 2008.

Gressett's attorneys have said he and his accuser had a consensual sexual relationship and that the charges against him are politically motivated.

His defense team, which includes Russo and Michael Kotin, will be filing a second motion to dismiss the charges based on alleged misconduct during the grand jury hearing. That motion will be heard Aug. 29 in  Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez, Russo said.          

Gressett remains free on $1 million bail.