Local News in Brief : Employee’s Assets Held

A Los Angeles dress manufacturer controlled by financier Meshulam Riklis moved Wednesday to freeze the bank accounts and personal effects of an employee accused of embezzling nearly $1 million.

Superior Court Judge Jerry Fields granted the temporary restraining order requested by Jody Tootique--the apparel-making division of Faberge--and ordered all assets of Michael Stevenson frozen until the case can be sorted out.

Stevenson, 37, who was the company’s controller until being fired last week, was arraigned Monday on charges of having embezzled $934,551 through the issuance of 15 bogus checks.

He was arrested last week while allegedly trying to cash one of the checks at the Beverly Hills office of City National Bank, according to Lt. Bill Hunt of the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Stevenson of Westwood pleaded innocent to the six counts of embezzlement and forgery. He is being held at county jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.

The former corporate controller also faces similar charges involving $100,000 in New York and New Jersey. According to his court-appointed attorney, David Reed, Stevenson pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in those two states, but he fled before sentencing.

Riklis, 63, is married to entertainer Pia Zadora. Faberge, owned by Riklis, purchased the Jody Tootique clothing operation about 18 months ago.