Woman charged in ‘sophisticated ruse’ to implicate Bellevue cops

King County prosecutors have filed charges against a woman accused of making false accusations against at least two Bellevue cops, including a false rape allegation against the chief.

RELATED: Bellevue police chief cleared of sexual assault charges

Idunn Schneider faces two counts each of malicious prosecution and tampering with evidence, and is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 31. Prosecutors have asked for a summons, and she has not been arrested.

Prosecutors say Schneider falsely accused Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett of rape and fabricated evidence to back it up. Mylett was cleared but only after being placed on paid leave for months. Prosecutors had declined to file charges against Schneider in a previous similar case because of concerns about her mental health.

Prosecutors say Schneider also falsely accused former Bellevue Police Officer John Kivlin of violating a no-contact order and tampering with evidence and falsified evidence to back up those claims.

Schneider has been ordered not to have any contact with Mylett or Kivlin, and not to break any other laws.

According to court documents, Schneider “fabricated evidence and used a sophisticated ruse to deceive Kivlin, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the court in order to have Kivlin taken into custody and charged with additional crimes.

The result of the (accuser’s) fabrication was that law enforcement arrested Kivlin for crimes he did not commit, prosecutors filed charges against Kivlin for crimes he did not commit, and the court held Kivlin in custody for order violations which he did not commit.”

All charges against Kivlin were dropped in October when prosecutors stated that he did not commit the crimes he was arrested for.

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