Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | 9:24 a.m.
The warden of the 2-year-old High Desert State Prison near Indian Springs abruptly resigned last week.
Howard Skolnik, a spokesman for the Corrections Department, said Monday that George Grigas, who has headed the prison since June 2000, did not explain his reasons for stepping down.
"It came as a surprise to me," Skolnik said.
Rick Walker, associate warden of operations, will become interim warden, he said.
Skolnik said the prison's chaplain, the Rev. Dave Casaleggio, also has been placed on administrative leave with pay in an unrelated matter.
"Generally, when people are placed on administrative leave, there is an investigation," Skolnik said. "But because it's a personnel matter, I can't give you any details."
Casaleggio declined comment.
archive
