Prosecutors Drop Convention Bomb Threat Charges

Federal prosecutors dropped a criminal complaint Friday against a Santa Monica man accused of telephoning bomb threats during the Democratic National Convention.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Shannon Wright said she wanted more time to investigate Lawrence David Meyers’ claim that he was elsewhere when the calls were made.

“We are simply continuing the investigation and reserve the right to refile if warranted,” Wright said.

Meyers, 56, a self-employed publisher, was accused of making two cellular phone calls to a 911 operator on Aug. 15 as the convention was getting underway in Los Angeles.

According to a government affidavit, the caller warned that he had placed bombs at Staples Center--the convention headquarters--and the Record-Gazette newspaper in Banning. No explosives were found at either location.

David Schindler, Meyers’ defense attorney, said his client had “a perfect alibi” to prove he didn’t make the calls.

The first bomb threat, he said, was relayed from a cell site in Venice at 2:21 p.m. while Meyers was driving back to Santa Monica from a luncheon appointment in Orange County.

Schindler said the second cellular call was made at 3:42 p.m. at the same time records show Meyers was talking on a land line phone to someone else.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service.

While Wright left open the possibility of charging Meyers anew, Schindler said he hopes the government will “recognize that their evidence just didn’t pan out.”

He said Meyers has endured considerable pain and suffering because of his arrest.