Max Grossman’s case dismissed by judge
KVIA-Newsroom
Editor’s note: this story has been updated to reflect new court paperwork obtained by ABC-7 that shows Max Grossman’s case was dismissed by an El Paso judge today, December 3.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A misdemeanor case involving well-known watchdog and University of Texas at El Paso associate professor Max Grossman was dismissed by an El Paso judge after Grossman completed the conditions of a pretrial diversion program, according to records obtained by ABC-7.
Grossman, 58, was arrested September 4 on a family violence charge in connection to an August 27 incident involving his former girlfriend, court records show.
The El Paso District Attorney’s Office filed a motion on December 3 to dismiss the case on the grounds that Grossman had completed the program, and El Paso County Court Judge Carlos Carrasco signed an order granting the dismissal.
In a written response to ABC-7’s request for information, Stephanie Valle, Special Projects Administrator with the El Paso District Attorney’s Office, said in part: “The decision to refer the Defendant to pre-trial diversion was made after a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the Defendant’s lack of criminal history.”
Court records show that Grossman was required to pay a $60 fee and complete a Victim Impact Panel, which the Texas Department of Criminal Justice describes as an educational program.
Court documents explain that Grossman’s case would be dismissed once he completed the program’s conditions, but any violation of those conditions would jeopardize the dismissal.
Records show the case will be partially expunged—meaning, it will be visible only to the District Attorney’s Office and not the public.
Grossman’s criminal defense attorney Brian Kennedy told ABC-7 Grossman has completed all his pre-trial diversion requirements. He also referred us back to his earlier comment, saying, ‘As I initially said, we look forward to clearing Mr. Grossman’s name and with this dismissal his name has been cleared.”
Grossman has two civil suits against his former partner, and one against her former attorney.