Suit filed against Funabiki Firm

A medical malpractice suit was filed Friday in superior court against Dean Funabiki and Associates by Kimberly Schoo, one of the alleged victims of Dr. Funabiki, the Pullman psychologist who was booked in jail here Feb. 16 and found dead in his cell two days later. He had been arrested on a probable charge of second-degree rape and bail for pre-trial release was set at $100,000.

The suit alleged the plaintiff had been a patient of Dr. Funabiki for three years and was sexually assaulted Jan. 5 and several times the preceding year. It alleged she was placed in an altered state which left her unable to consent to the alleged sexual assault.

Filed by Pullman attorney Roger Sandberg, the suit also alleged another patient of Funabiki was subjected to the same tactics.

The Pullman Police investigation of the case originated after they received a treatment report from Pullman Regional Hospital.

The suit seeks general damages to be determined at trial plus special damages including the cost of future treatment. Seven causes of damage were alleged.

The Pullman Police report which was filed with the court after Funabiki was arrested alleged he hypnotized the victim before undertaking sexual activity. Funabiki was accompanied by his attorney Feb. 16 when he reported to the jail. He was found dead two days later in his cell where he had hung himself with part of a sheet, according to the sheriff's report.

Bail for Dr. Funabiki had initially been set at $100,000. He died before a first appearance in court which normally would have been Monday.