Prosecution fines rescinded in La Luz del Mundo church leader case
A Los Angeles judge has rescinded sanctions against two prosecutors whom she said had failed to give defense lawyers evidence in a case against a Mexican megachurch leader charged with child rape and human trafficking.
Reconsidering at the request of the California attorney general’s office, Superior Court Judge Teresa Sullivan on Friday overturned $10,000 in fines she levied a day earlier but indicated the evidence must be provided by Monday.
Sullivan had found that the prosecutors violated a court order to provide evidence to lawyers for Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of La Luz del Mundo, and two co-defendants.
They have pleaded not guilty to allegations of sexually abusing three girls and a woman in Los Angeles County.
A hearing to determine if the case should go to trial is scheduled for Monday.
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