Asotin judge issues partial ruling in suit over local theater loans

A five-day bench trial before Asotin County Superior Court Judge Scott Gallina has been scheduled to begin Sept. 28 as part of an extensive civil suit related to the financing of new movie theater companies in Pullman and Lewiston more than 10 years ago.

A judgment on initial arguments in the civil suit, which date back to loans of more than $10 million from the now defunct Bank of Whitman, was issued Feb. 23 by Judge Gallina after lengthy a hearing in his court in January.

Judge Gallina was appointed to hear the civil suit, which was filed in Whitman County, after Judge David Frazier recused...