Wrona originally faced a first-degree felony charge for raping his adult biological daughter last spring.
But the morning of Nov. 20 he agreed to a plea deal lowering the charges to a second-degree felony count of forcible sexual abuse and third-degree felony count of incest.
The trial, which was scheduled for December, is now no longer needed.
Wrona was a successful Park City attorney who argued land-use and criminal cases. He was also a former chairman of KPCW’s Board of Trustees more than a decade ago.
According to the defense, he met his daughter for the first time when she was an adult, at which point they traveled together and began a physical relationship. Prosecutors' filings say the daughter was likely to admit to a physical relationship prior to the alleged rape.
The defense says Wrona bought a condo so she could move to Park City in November 2021. Prosecutors say there was a pattern of “possessive” and “controlling” behavior that led to the alleged rape in March 2022.
According to the indictment, Wrona had searched his daughter’s phone and iPad and became angry when he learned she’d gone out with friends on St. Patrick’s Day.
Prosecutors argue he showed up to the condo and raped her to “punish her disobedience.” Wrona also allegedly berated his daughter with verbal insults and made her tell her friends never to contact her again.
Wrona originally pleaded not guilty to the rape charge. Consensual incest, which is still illegal, was going to be the crux of Wrona’s defense if the matter had gone to trial.
Now, under the plea agreement and definition of forcible sexual abuse, he's agreed that he touched his daughter sexually without her consent.
One of his defense attorneys, Greg Skordas, maintains the relationship was consensual, even though the power dynamic may have led a jury to think the relationship wasn’t.
“The family aspect and the disparity in age, maturity and position of power was a factor in both sides acknowledging the possibility that there was a lack of traditional consent," Skordas said.
The Summit County Attorney’s Office said the plea bargain was reached after prosecutors consulted with the survivor. Prosecutors say they will not comment further.
Forcible sexual abuse is punishable by one to 15 years imprisonment and incest by zero to five years. But under the plea agreement, Wrona would serve one year in jail, avoiding state prison.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 5. The state says it will not seek a financial penalty.
If Wrona abides by the terms of his probation, the state will not file further charges, and he may be eligible for reductions based on good behavior.
The survivor's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
