Moses Pleads Innocent to Soliciting Charge

Edwin Moses, the two-time Olympic champion in the men’s 400-meter intermediate hurdles, pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges of soliciting sex for money from an undercover female police officer.

Moses was not present at the Municipal Court arraignment. Deputy city attorney Mike Wilkinson said California law permits a defendant’s absence at such hearings in misdemeanor cases.

Moses’ attorney, Edward Medvene, declined further comment after the hearing before judge David Doi.

The trial was scheduled for Feb. 8. A pretrial discovery hearing will be held Jan 28, at which the prosecution is to make its evidence available to the defense.

Moses, 29, the Olympic gold medalist in 1976 and 1984, previously has denied the charge of soliciting, which carries a maximum six-month sentence and a $1,000 fine.

Prosecutors say Moses allegedly solicited an undercover officer at 3:17 a.m. Jan. 13 on the Sunset Strip.