Majority spokesman: Huggins staffer to leave state payroll

JUNEAU — A legislative staffer convicted in April of assault will no longer be on the state payroll when the fiscal year ends June 30, officials say.

Deborah J. Grundmann authorized officials to disclose that she has been on a combination of paid vacation time and Alaska Family Leave Act time since Nov. 15, shortly before Juneau police arrested her and initially charged her with felony assault, which was later changed to a misdemeanor. Grundmann is a senior staffer for Alaska Sen. Charlie Huggins (R-Wasilla), and one of the highest paid aides in the Legislature, with an annual salary of $124,848.

As part of the conditions of her release from jail, officials ordered Grundmann to attend inpatient treatment at The Meadows, a rehabilitation center in Phoenix, Arizona. During that time, Grundmann remained authorized to receive a paycheck, officials said. Grundmann’s contact information also remained in the state employee directory throughout the span of her absence, officials said.

Acting Senate majority spokesman Daniel McDonald said in an email the leave period began Nov. 16. Grundmann had issued written permission to release more detailed information than legislative affairs officers usually provide, he said.

“Ms. Grundmann has been on accrued leave (earned vacation leave) or leave without pay, with the exception of a short time in February and March, when she did some session work for Senator Huggins’ office,” McDonald wrote.

The Alaska Family Leave Act, unlike the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, allows up to 18 weeks of leave in a one-year period. McDonald referred additional questions on the matter to legislative affairs manager Skiff Lobaugh, who did not return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.

Grundmann has been undergoing aftercare treatment in Seattle, and phoned in for her April 2 change-of-plea hearing from Gig Harbor, Washington, according to court documents.

The standard course of treatment at the Meadows runs 45 days, according to Intake Coordinator Pam Tice, who said only rarely does the intensive course of treatment vary from that 45-day timeline.

If Grundmann was able to find a bed at the facility immediately, her potential release date would have been in mid-January.

Huggins staff member Jodi Simpson said Grundmann was able to perform some duties in February and March remotely.

However, according to The Meadows rules for admission, patients are not permitted cellphones.

“She was working remotely and was in direct contact with me,” Simpson said.

Staffers were aware of the charges at the time, she said.

Huggins, who hasn’t respond to an email query or several phone calls for comment in recent days, remained unavailable to answer questions, Simpson said.

Contact Brian O’Connor at 352-2269, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.