Hubbard trial awaits judge ruling

Los Angeles County prosecutors will have to wait until Monday to see if a superior court judge rules if there is enough evidence to take Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard to trial on charges of misappropriating public funds.

Prosecutors said Hubbard, 53, illegally gave a subordinate $20,000 in stipends when the two worked together in the Beverly Hills school district four years ago. Superior Court Judge Kathryn Solorzano is expected to rule Monday on whether defense attorneys can present their own witnesses, and if not, whether Hubbard should go on trial.

Hubbard’s subordinate in Beverly Hills, Karen Anne Christiansen, is charged with multiple conflicts of interest counts related to contracts her side company had with the district.

It’s not clear if Hubbard will be back at work in Newport-Mesa on Monday.

Meanwhile, district officials have rescheduled the school board meeting for Monday night because Hubbard originally had a conference scheduled for Tuesday.

Hubbard will not attend the conference after all, but the school board meeting will continue as scheduled on Monday night. The 7 p.m. meeting will take place in the district headquarters, 2985 Bear St., Costa Mesa.

Joseph Serna