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Residents tell Benton County commissioners they’ve documented conflicts of interest in family court
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the board to address alleged conflicts of interest in family court, naming Norma Rodriguez and accusing prosecutor Mike Rio of pursuing charges on hearsay; speakers requested disclosure and suggested existing complaint avenues produce few results.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the May 12 Benton County commissioners meeting to raise allegations and ask for action on perceived conflicts and prosecutorial conduct in family court.
"My name is Marcy Torres, and I am from Franklin County," Marcy Torres told the board. She said Norma Rodriguez was not recusing herself from cases with clear conflicts and accused a prosecutor, Mike Rio, of attempting to pursue charges against her based on hearsay despite a police report showing no evidence. Torres said advocates have been informing the public about family-court issues and that they are keeping records of cases they believe were not properly prosecuted.
Another speaker identified as a Richland resident and former police officer echoed those concerns, saying there are rule and ethics violations in family court and urging equal application of laws. That speaker recommended contacting the Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Washington State Bar Association for complaints but warned most filings are dismissed at intake.
Commissioners listened and thanked the speakers; no board action or staff directive on the specific allegations was recorded in the meeting minutes.
Why it matters: The comments raise accusations about local court and prosecutorial conduct that, if substantiated, would bear on public trust in the justice system. The board did not make or record an investigatory directive during the meeting, and the claims remain matters for judicial oversight bodies and other investigative channels.
