Backers Put Properties on the Line for Christie

Supporters of Hells Angels leader George Christie Jr. have pledged more than $2 million in real estate--enough to bail him out of a Ventura County jail as he awaits trial on drug and racketeering charges.

But release still could be weeks away. Prosecutors are expected to raise objections at a hearing next week, and a separate hearing must be held to verify the equity in any properties tendered for bail, lawyers said.

Defense attorneys are pushing for Christie’s release by the end of the year.

“We’ve got to get this done,” said Los Angeles attorney Mark Heaney, contending his client needs to be out of custody to properly defend himself.

Christie, 54, has been jailed for nearly 10 months on charges that he ran a narcotics ring that peddled prescription drugs to high school students in Ojai and Ventura. He is charged with theft, fraud, tax evasion, firearms possession, drug sales to minors and the use of a street gang in a criminal conspiracy.

Christie is being held in lieu of $1-million bail. By law, he must put up twice the bail amount if securing a bond with property instead of cash.

For the last three months, defense lawyers have been collecting appraisals and property records from friends and supporters who have offered to put up real estate to bail out Christie.

On Wednesday, Heaney told Superior Court Judge Barry Klopfer that the defense is offering 10 properties valued at a total of $2.4 million. They include a Ventura home owned by Christie and his ex-wife, and four residences in Ventura and San Diego counties owned by three supporters.

Those individuals--Arnold Fry, Candace Gaddie and David Alfer--testified during closed-door proceedings about the source of money behind their properties.

Afterward, they declined to comment on their relationship with Christie or why they have offered $850,000 in real estate to bail him out. Fry is putting up two properties in San Diego County, Gaddie is offering one in Ventura and Alfer is putting up a San Diego house.

Previously, two members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club offered to put up $1.3 million in real estate.

Maurice Eunice and Robert Poulin, who describe Christie as a close friend, have pledged five properties in Northern and Southern California. The men testified about those properties during a hearing in late October.

According to court documents, Poulin, a member of the Hells Angels Daly City chapter since 1983, has put up a property there valued at $440,000. Eunice has offered four properties, including his own home, in El Cajon, Lakeside and Ramona, valued at about $922,000.

Asked about the offers being made to support Christie, Heaney said: “People who know George . . . who feel he should be out of jail to defend himself . . . are willing to do this.”

A continued hearing on the bail issue is set for Dec. 13.