The attorney for a 27-year-old waiter and part-time porn model called Spokane County's case "laughable" as his client pleaded not guilty Monday to a list of charges that followed a sexual encounter in October that ended the career of a Washington state representative.
Cody Michael Castagna answered "innocent" as each of the six felonies levied against him were read by Superior Court Judge Jerome Leveque.
Qnews update: Prosecutors drop all charges against Castagna in Curtis sex/'extortion' scandal (17-June-08)
"I can't believe I'm facing six felonies and he's not facing anything," Castagna said after the hearing.
He was referring to 48-year-old Richard Curtis, a former state representative from La Center. The Republican politician was not present for the hearing today.
Defense attorney David Partovi referred to the case against Castagna as "absolute garbage."
"They better make sure they have a good case," Partovi said. "I think the case is complicity with what Curtis wants. He certainly hasn't been charged with anything and he has admitted to a crime."
Castagna faces two counts of second-degree extortion, one count of conspiracy to commit second-degree extortion and three counts of second-degree theft. His trial is now scheduled for April 17 at 9:30 a.m.
Prosecutors contend in court documents that Castagna and three other men attempted to blackmail Curtis in October.
Curtis, a Republican from the southwest Washington town of LaCenter, said in police reports that he and Castagna had sex in a hotel room and that Castagna later took his wallet and threatened to expose him publicly if he did not pay $1,000.
Castagna has contended Curtis reneged on a promise to pay $1,000 for sex.
According to court records, Curtis met Castagna at the Hollywood Erotic Boutique in Spokane Valley where Curtis engaged in oral sex with another man. Curtis and Castagna later met in the Davenport Tower, where Curtis was staying for a House Republican retreat to discuss the upcoming legislative session.
Once in the hotel room, Curtis gave Castagna $100 before they engaged in sex acts, according to police reports.
After Curtis fell asleep, police reports allege that Castagna left the room with Curtis' wallet, credit cards and Washington State Legislature ID. He later called Curtis, demanding the $1,000 that Castagna claimed he was owed for having unprotected sex, the reports allege.
Curtis put $200 in an envelope and left it in the hotel lobby.
Later, Castagna called Curtis a second time and demanded an additional $800, according to police reports. But by then, Spokane police detectives had been alerted to the case after Curtis called an acquaintance with the Washington State Patrol in the Vancouver area in an attempt to keep the matter out of the press, according to police reports.
Also charged are Robert H. Fletcher, 20, Cody's brother Joseph L. Castagna, 25, and Brandon Burchell, 24. All are charged with second-degree extortion and conspiracy to commit second-degree extortion. All four defendants are free on $7,500 bond each.
Fletcher is accused of picking up extortion money from Curtis at the Davenport Tower in exchange for a share of the cash. Joseph Castagna and Burchell are alleged to have conspired with Cody Castagna to pick up more money at a second drop-off.
Partovi does not dispute that money exchanged hands between Curtis and Cody Castagna. But he said previously it was payment for prostitution, not extortion.
Partovi said the case was unfortunate for all those involved.
"I want former Representative Curtis to know that there are serious consequences for his false allegations," Partovi said, "and we look forward to seeing him in cross examination."
Full article: SR.com: Attorney: Castagna charges 'laughable'
Spokane man pleads innocent to extorting legislator | AP (Seattle Times)