Former Woodinville winery employee damages $300K worth of wine, avoids jail time

A former Woodinville winery employee for Sparkman Cellars, who caused $300,000 in damage by draining gallons of wine, was sentenced Wednesday to restitution and no jail time, according to KING 5.

Mark Griswold pleaded guilty to criminal trespass in the first degree and malicious mischief in the third degree.

Woodinville man sentenced for winery damages

A judge ordered Griswold to pay approximately $50,000 in restitution for the damages made at the winery. Griswold was also ordered to participate in a mental health evaluation within 30 days and avoid contact with the winery’s owners and staff.

Prosecutors detailed that the crime was committed before Thanksgiving in 2023, approximately 14 months after Griswold left his job at the winery. Surveillance video showed Griswold wearing a mask and entering the barrel room by using an access code given to employees.

In the span of six minutes, Griswold opened the valves to two tanks containing wine and released approximately 2,300 gallons of wine. Griswold immediately left the building thereafter.

Investigators noted Griswold “felt angry about how much he was being paid and harbored resentment and anger toward the winery owner,” according to KING 5.

“According to the Sparkmans’ victim impact statement, he had asked for a 25% raise, and they were not financially able to do that, but they said they met him halfway and did give him a raise, and they could have another conversation later that year,” Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Sato said, according to KING 5. “And then he quit two weeks after that, in the middle of harvest, which is a very crucial time.”

When offered to explain the reasoning behind his actions in court, Griswold did not provide comments. When the judge asked for Griswold’s plea, he only replied “guilty.”

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