Washington Mayor’s case pushed to '24

WASHINGTON — Mayor Jaron Rosien’s day in court for allegations of sexual abuse is now set to happen over a year after the night prosecutors claim he committed the crime. Rosien signed a waiver of his right to a speedy trial filed with the court on Wednesday. It was approved by a judge Thursday morning.

The latest delay could buy time for a plea deal, based on a motion for the continuance signed by Rosien’s attorney, which state prosecutors did not resist.

“The parties are engaged in plea negotiations which require additional information which the parties are waiting on,” the motion read. “The State does not resist a 30-day continuance of the Pretrial Conference, and if necessary, a continuance of the trial date to next year.”

The next pretrial conference for the case is now scheduled for Jan. 12 of 2024, more than a year after the alleged crime, which prosecutors say happened the night of Jan. 7 or early morning of Jan. 8 at JP’s 207, the bar owned by Rosien in downtown Washington.

That nixes the jury trial date previously set for Nov. 14. A schedule search of Iowa Courts Online did not show any results for a newly scheduled trial as of Thursday morning.

It’s the fourth delay for the mayor’s day in court. The repeated continuances have frustrated some city officials, growing increasingly anxious for a resolution.

City Council Member Elaine Moore has previously complained about the city’s monthslong reliance on a mayor pro tem. She said she was “disappointed” to hear the news Thursday.

“My thought is, if he felt he was innocent, why didn’t he go to trial right away?” she said. “If he truly believes in his innocence, if I were in that position, I would have gone to trial and said, … ‘I’m going to prove it right now.’”

The news comes less than a week after an intentional tort was filed against Rosien and his restaurant for what appears to be the same incident, sent by a private law firm in Des Moines on behalf of a defendant referenced by attorneys with the moniker “John Doe.”

Prosecutors haven’t named Rosien’s accuser in the criminal case either, given policies against identifying potential victims of sexual assault, instead referring to the man as “A.B.”

The civil charges argue that Rosien is liable for the aftermath of the alleged abuse, including the costs of emotional distress, health care and therapy expenses, and other damages. It also argues that JP’s 207 is liable for continuing to serve Rosien, who was working there Jan. 7 and 8, and has told investigators he was intoxicated at the bar that night according to court documents.

Rosien has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges, which represent a Class C felony.

Rosien has not stepped down as Washington’s mayor, but remains on a voluntary unpaid leave of absence that began shortly after charges against him were announced in late January of this year.

Rosien did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com