LOS ANGELES : Judge Says Fleiss Must Sign Waiver to Keep Her Lawyer

Heidi Fleiss must waive her right to “conflict-free” counsel at her upcoming federal tax-evasion trial because one of her lawyers advised her father earlier in the case, a judge said Monday.

U.S. District Judge Consuelo Marshall also said Fleiss’ father, who faces money-laundering charges, would have to agree to be cross-examined by a lawyer to whom he may have divulged certain facts about the case, and understand that the attorney may use that information during questioning.

The waivers are required to allow Robert Bonner, a former federal judge, to remain on the case as the younger Fleiss’ lawyer, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Alejandro Mayorkas. Bonner counseled Paul Fleiss, 61, during the government’s attempt to disqualify his attorney, Philip Heller. Prosecutors claimed Heller had a conflict of interest because he represented the government’s key witness, Shana Fleiss, younger sister of the convicted Hollywood madam, at several pre-indictment hearings.