Records Denied in Motorcycle Ride Case

An attorney who claims he and other motorcyclists were unfairly ticketed during a recent charity ride, was dealt a blow Wednesday in his case against the Simi Valley Police Department.

A judge ruled that the department does not have to hand over its records associated with the case.

Tarzana attorney Allan B. Gelbard had argued that officers went out of their way to cite ride participants, some of whom were members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, a sponsor of the event.

Gelbard, who was ticketed for making an illegal left turn, was among 45 participants cited. Six people were arrested, and another 45 were given verbal warnings, authorities said.

Gelbard denies doing anything illegal. In a defense motion heard Wednesday by Municipal Judge Rebecca S. Riley, Gelbard requested access to Police Department records on the grounds that police officers selectively ticketed bikers.

But Riley denied the motion, and Gelbard will be back in court Nov. 5 for a hearing on whether the case should be dismissed.

In a separate action, Gelbard has filed an $11-million class-action suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, accusing the city of Simi Valley of violating bikers’ state and federal civil rights.