LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge has refused to allow former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca to remain free on bail while appealing convictions for trying to derail an FBI jail corruption probe.
His attorney, Nathan Hochman, says a judge on Thursday refused to extend Baca’s bail while the case is appealed, which could take weeks or even months.
Unless that ruling is overturned, Baca must surrender next Tuesday to begin serving a three-year federal sentence.
His lawyer is seeking a new trial for Baca, who’s 74 and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Baca was convicted in March of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators. Prosecutors said he and top aides tried to hide an informant from FBI handlers investigating alleged jail beatings and other abuses.