An Alaska lawmaker who resigned after allegations of striking a Juneau woman is soon scheduled to appear in court.
Online public courts records show the arraignment for Zach Fansler is set for June 21 in Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau.
The 39-year-old, a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives who represented Bethel, was formally charged with a crime on Monday. The state’s Office of Special Prosecutions in Anchorage charged him via information with one count of second-degree harassment, a class B misdemeanor.
[Juneau woman accuses lawmaker of violent attack]
Fansler is represented by defense attorney Wallace Tetlow, who did not respond to phone calls Thursday. Paul Miovas, with the Office of Special Prosecutions, is the prosecuting attorney. Court records show Juneau District Court Kirsten L. Swanson will be the judge in the case.
The woman, who the Empire is not naming, came forward with the allegations to the Empire in January. She accused Fansler of slapping her twice across the face so hard that it ruptured her eardrum. Several people corroborated her story, and she provided medical records. Fansler resigned from his position in the wake of the allegations in February.
According to Assistant Attorney General Maria Bahr, Fansler plans to plead guilty to the charge.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
