By Mary O’KEEFE
Former Glendale City Councilman John Drayman appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday. Drayman is facing 28 felony charges including charges of embezzlement of funds from the Montrose Shopping Park Association. L.A. Superior Court Judge Stephen Marcus has set the trial to begin on Sept. 20.
The September date is when lawyers for both sides will let Judge Marcus know if they are or are not ready to begin trial. Barring any unforeseen complications, both sides should be ready. If they continue on schedule, the trial is likely to start a few days later.
“[September] 25 or 26 is when we start,” said Susan Schwartz, Los Angeles County deputy district attorney. Jury selection will be made followed by the trial.
Glendale police began investigating Drayman in May 2011 on allegations of embezzlement of funds from the MSPA Harvest Market. The MSPA, the organization that is responsible for the market, requested the investigation. A grand jury was convened and the 28 felony charges were filed in May 2012.
Drayman has been released on bail while awaiting a trial date. Over that time, he has had three attorneys, two of them public defenders. His present attorney is Public Defender Sean McDonald.