Beverly Frills : 2 to Be Tried as Mercedes, Massage and Manicure Bills Are Itemized in Fraud on Grossmont College Students

Bills for daily massages and goose pate at the pool of a swank Beverly Hills hotel were admitted into evidence Thursday against two people charged with defrauding the Associated Students of Grossmont College in El Cajon.

The ASGC’s former executive secretary, David Brooks, 19, and Peggy Klecha, 46, of El Cajon were ordered to stand trial for grand theft following the preliminary hearing.

The bills from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where the defendants and other student leaders allegedly ran up charges totaling $27,725, were itemized at the hearing conducted by San Diego Municipal Judge E. Mac Amos.

The bills were charged on the American Express credit card issued to former student body President Michael Bang, 26, who pleaded guilty last week to grand theft. Bang, who has since changed his name to Michael Humbert, resigned in July, 1987, after having been elected in February.

Former ASGC Vice President Larry Humpal, 26, who succeeded Bang as president but was later ousted, has also pleaded guilty.

Brooks’ attorney, Dan Bacal, argued Thursday that other people who stayed at the hotel from June 27 to July 1, 1987, and partied with the defendants were not charged.

Bacal said Brooks had no direct knowledge that the credit card Bang was using belonged to the ASGC.

“There is nothing to indicate David knew it was an Associated Students card,” Bacal said.

“I agree it didn’t make a lot of sense . . . to think they could get away with it,” said Judge Amos.

Brooks was also ordered to stand trial on a perjury charge.

A trial date for Brooks and Klecha, who worked as a secretary at Grossmont College, will be set June 9 at their Superior Court arraignment. Bang and Humpal, who is Klecha’s son, will be sentenced June 13.

A bill for a two-hour massage for Bang came to $120. Another, for room service that included duck pate, crab and shrimp, totaled $39.94.

Klecha allegedly used the alias “Jennifer O’Neill” in signing bills for three massages at a cost of $180, with a $40 tip.

A handwriting expert testified that receipts signed by an “Eric Strong” were actually signed by Brooks. The expert said the O’Neill signature was Klecha’s.

Other charges included a 6-inch-long bill for drinks one afternoon at a total cost of $325.73, including a $96 tip.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Sally Williams said the students rented a poolside cabana at a cost of $150 a day. She described the cabana as “a very elegant tent.” Three suites at the hotel were rented for $450 a day.

The members of the group, including the men, reportedly had daily manicures and appointments with a hair stylist.

Klecha allegedly received a manicure and a pedicure valued at $170 and tipped the attendants $35.

Bang purchased an $85 watch and nine shirts, including seven with the hotel’s insignia. He also had his hair colored for $60 and added a $45 tip.

Also purchased were sweat shirts, robes, nail polish, perfume, magazines, body cream, batteries, film, jewelry and shampoo. Mercedes-Benzes with phones were rented.

On July 1, American Express notified the hotel to suspend the students’ credit, said Bill Jones, the hotel’s credit manager.