Former Supervisor Facing Child Porn Charges Sworn In As Grass Valley City Councilman
GRASS VALLEY (CBS13) — A former Nevada County supervisor facing child porn charges was sworn in as a Grass Valley City Councilman on Monday, amid protests at the ceremony.
Demonstrators gathered in front of Grass Valley City Hall to protest the swearing-in of Terry Lamphier, who won the seat in November even as he was being investigated by the district attorney on child porn charges.
When asked by CBS13 about the allegations he's facing by, Lamphier was slow to answer.
"I expect to prove my innocence, thank you," he said.
Lamphier's addition to the City Council was applauded by some, but criticized by others.
The Nevada County District Attorney has charged Lamphier with multiple counts of possessing child pornography in an investigation that started last October.
Grass Valley city attorney Michael Colantuono says if Lamphier is found guilty of possessing child pornography, he can still hold his seat because the charges are considered misdemeanors.
"The charges against him could have been brought as a felony but the district attorney chose to bring them as a misdemeanor," he said.
That rule has been on the books for years.
Lamphier's supporters, like Carole Chapman, call the charges political and asked people not to rush to judgement.
"He's the only democrat. He's the only progressive and they don't like him for that," she said. "I do believe the allegations are not true. I think it's all bogus."
If convicted on the three misdemeanor charges of possessing child pornography, he could spend up to a year in county jail.
