After conviction for lying, Granger police chief still getting paid

GRANGER, Wash. — More than two months have passed since Granger police Chief Robert Perales was convicted of making false statements under oath, but the city won’t say whether he will return to his post or be fired.

Perales is still on paid leave even though his trial ended in late May in Yakima County District Court, where he entered an Alford plea for making false statements under oath.

In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors could prove the charge.

He was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 10 suspended, which he served on electronic home monitoring. He also was placed on probation for a year and ordered to undergo an anger management evaluation and pay a $500 fine.

City officials have directed all questions about Perales to city attorney Kirk Ehlis, who has not returned several phone calls seeking comment.

Mayor Jose Trevino also did not return phone calls and emails seeking comment.

Perales, who is earning a salary of $68,394, was placed on paid leave in February 2016, when he was initially charged with stalking and perjury in Superior Court. But the matter was moved to the lower court in a plea agreement.

The case stemmed from a no-contact order his ex-girlfriend had sought against him more than two years ago, saying he repeatedly made unwelcome contact with her.

Yakima County Sheriff’s Office deputies said Perales had lied under oath during a hearing considering the no-contact order. He said he didn’t use his patrol vehicle in one incident when he had contacted her, but the vehicle’s GPS devise showed he did, deputies said.

The conviction landed Perales on the Brady List, which lists police officers who have lied in an official capacity.

Being placed on the list tarnishes a police officer’s credibility, Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Brusic said after the hearing in which Perales entered his plea.