LAKEPORT — The trial of Tracy Avila, who was charged with embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency and the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians, had her trial delayed once more Tuesday.
The case, which is nearly two years old, was scheduled to begin trial today, but was rescheduled to Aug. 28. The trial could have been pushed back as far as late September or early October, but Judge Andrew S. Blum insisted the case has been delayed long enough.
Defense attorney R. Justin Petersen said the late August date might create a conflict with other cases he is scheduled to work on the week of the 28th, but Judge Blum ruled the Avila case took priority.
Petersen had asked for trial to be set to Late September, but Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson said one of the investigators will be unavailable in early October.
Avila was arrested in September 2011 after she allegedly stole money from the tribe while she worked for it as a fiscal officer between February 2006 and September 2008.
Avila, who was present in court Tuesday, is awaits trial out of custody. A hearing to determine time and courtroom for the trial was scheduled for Aug. 24.
Isaac Brambila is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
