No prison sentence for Phil Rodriguez after seven months of court battle – Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA/KECY) – Former Yuma City Administrator Phil Rodriguez was back in court Monday afternoon in what turned out to be a plea bargain.
Rodriguez was originally charged in June 2021 in connection with an Interstate 8 accident and originally faced up to 30 days in prison and probation. But two of the three charges are now dropped.
He no longer faces charges of “unsafe lane crossing” and “false reporting to law enforcement,” meaning no jail time and no probation. The “amended failure to provide information and support the charge” remains in place, along with a $460 fine. 96
Richard Marzec, the second person involved in the crash, addressed the court and said he was not happy with the plea deal.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the case. There was so much more to this incident than was spelled out in the settlement agreement,” Marzec continues. “In a way, I’m relieved it’s over. It’s almost been seven months now and it’s time to move on.”
The defense also made it a point to note that Rodriguez successfully passed a polygraph test, which he says proves he did not intentionally hit Marzec’s vehicle and did not intentionally lie to authorities about the accident.
“Why did this man target me, follow me off the freeway after my vehicle crashed to a private property, and then attack me on a city street?” asks Marzec.
Questions that may never be answered. And it’s not quite over yet. Marzec is demanding more than $7,500 in compensation from Rodriguez. The former mayor’s attorney says his client is willing to pay Marzec $3,000. But Marzec refused.
A hearing to further discuss the restitution is scheduled for April.
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