Arrested in May 2016 on charges of public corruption and embezzlement from the city of Beaumont, former Idyllwild Water and Idyllwild Fire Protection districts counsel Joe Aklufi of Riverside filed a motion earlier this month to dismiss his charges and case for the lack of speedy trial.
Last week, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin opposed the motion and submitted a response with his arguments.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, Judge Marc Fisher read the filings from Aklufi and the District Attorney’s office, heard oral comments and decided he needed further arguments and more time.
He asked the DA’s office to submit another brief by Jan. 22. He gave Aklufi’s attorney another two days, until Jan. 24, to file a new brief.
Fisher said he intended to make a ruling by Friday, Jan. 26.
Aklufi remains out of jail on bond. He is the last of seven defendants in this case. The other six have all pleaded guilty and paid fines from thousands of dollars to millions.
In the initial filing, Hestrin said the embezzlement occurred in the 1990s and nearly $43 million was taken from the city.