Former Yuma City Administrator gets plea deal
No jail time for Phil Rodriguez after seven month 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 deal.
Rodriguez was initially charged in connection with a crash on Interstate 8 back in June 2021 and originally faced up to 30 days in jail and probation. But two of the three charges are now dropped.
He is no longer facing "unsafe lane change" and "false reporting to law enforcement" charges, which means no jail time and no probation. The "amended failure to give information and assist charge" remains along with a fine of $460. 96.
Richard Marzec, the second party involved in the crash addressed the court saying he is not happy with the plea deal.
"I am disappointed in the outcome of the case. There was so much more to this incident than what was worked out in the plea agreement," Marzec continues, "In a way, I'm relieved it's over with. It has been nearly seven months now and it's time, time to move on."
The defense also made it a point to mention 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 crash.
"Why did this man target me, pursue me from the, from the freeway after impacting my vehicle, to private property, and then engage me on a city street?" asks Marzec.
Questions that may never be answered. And it's not quite over yet. Marzec is asking for more than $7,500 from Rodriguez in restitution. The attorney representing the former city leader, says that his client is willing to pay Marzec $3,000. But Marzec declined.
A hearing to further discuss restitution is set for April.
