Businessman Focus of Fraud Probe
Ventura County prosecutors said Thursday they are investigating a Simi Valley entrepreneur on suspicion of fraud, even after similar charges were dropped against him earlier.
Three charges of writing fraudulent checks were dismissed Wednesday against James Erhardt, the proprietor of Holiday Farms, the site of an annual Christmas tree farm and haunted house on Los Angeles Avenue.
Prosecutor Chrystina Jenson said court investigators are still looking into several unspecified fraud allegations.
Erhardt was arrested May 24, weeks after filing a civil suit against Simi Valley alleging that several city officials tried to extort bribes from him in exchange for permits to run his seasonal events.
That lawsuit is in limbo because Erhardt has filed for bankruptcy, said his attorney, Fred Rucker.
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