San Diego

A judge on Tuesday denied a change of venue in the trial of La Mesa financier Bernard Striar. U.S. District Judge Judith Keep also denied three other defense motions, which sought to limit the evidence that a jury could hear. Striar, 60, is charged with 120 counts of mail fraud and fraud by a commodity operator when he was known as Eldean (Don) Erickson and doing business under the name of D & B Investments. His investors lost about $10 million. Striar’s attorney, Floralynn Einesman, argued that FBI agents coerced Striar into making incriminating statements following his arrest Jan. 7 in Cincinnati. Those statements remain sealed under a court order, and Keep ruled that Striar’s remarks were voluntary and not forced from him. In ruling against moving the trial to another county because of alleged prejudicial publicity, Keep said newspaper articles have not been sensational. A trial date will be set on June 10. Striar remains in Metropolitan Correctional Center without bail.