LAKEPORT — Health issues caused the fifth continuance in the case of the woman who was accused of embezzling money from an Indian tribe.
Tracy I. Avila, who was set to face a jury trial Wednesday, had her case continued to Oct. 30 after being admitted to the hospital, Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson stated Tuesday. The decision came Monday afternoon after Avila”s doctor declared her unfit for trial for the next six to eight weeks.
Judge Andrew S. Blum asked defense attorney R. Justin Petersen during Avila”s last hearing on Oct. 14 to give her case priority over two other cases Petersen was working on this week, in order to speed up Avila”s trial.
Avila faces a single charge of grand theft stemming from allegations that she stole tens of thousands of dollars from the Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians while she worked for them as a fiscal officer between February 2006 and September 2008. She denies any wrongdoing.
Avila has been awaiting trial out of court.
Isaac Brambila is a staff reporter for lake county publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
