Attorney to Be Appointed to Represent Dominelli

Bankrupt financier J. David (Jerry) Dominelli will be represented by a court-appointed attorney during his trial on state charges that he committed and conspired to commit election fraud during San Diego’s 1983 mayoral election.

Municipal Court Judge Frederic L. Link ruled Monday that Dominelli, 43, owner of the once-prosperous J. David & Co. investment firm, cannot afford an attorney because his corporate and personal assets are tied up in bankruptcy court.

Link made his decision after reading a financial disclosure statement submitted to him early Monday by Dominelli and his temporary attorney, Michael E. Squibb.

Dominelli had earlier refused to sign any sworn oaths about his financial condition, Deputy Dist. Atty. John Heisner said.

Heisner said after the hearing that the district attorney’s office has no objection to the appointment of a public defender for Dominelli.

The financial disclosure, which is sealed to the public, did not address how much money remains in the firm or in Dominelli’s private accounts, Squibb said. Instead, it explained that the money is unavailable to Dominelli and that he has been unable to make money because he has been in jail since April.

Dominelli had asked several attorneys during the last few months to take his case, but none would agree, Squibb said after the hearing. He said he expects the court-appointed attorney to be named within the next several days.

In addition to state charges that Dominelli funneled illegal contributions into Mayor Roger Hedgecock’s 1983 campaign, he faces federal perjury charges that he lied to a federal grand jury about the collapse of his La Jolla-based business. The firm was forced into bankruptcy by disgruntled investors last February.

The preliminary hearing on the state charges is scheduled for March 4, and Squibb said Dominelli’s defense could be hurt because of the short time between the hearing date and the appointment of his attorney. To counter this problem, he said, the court could assign one of its most competent public defenders to the case.

Regardless of which attorney is appointed, he said, the case will be difficult because in October Dominelli suffered a stroke that left him unable to communicate well with others. Dominelli can say only two-word sentences or write simple phrases, he said.

Dominelli often becomes frustrated because of his physical limitations, Squibb said, adding that he receives physical therapy about three hours a week.

A hearing to determine Dominelli’s mental competency to stand trial is scheduled for Feb. 25.

Dominelli is being held on $5-million bail on the federal charges and $50,000 bail on the state charges.

In an effort to raise the money, several of Dominelli’s relatives in the Chicago area pledged property and businesses valued at $700,000, Squibb said. Efforts to have the federal bail reduced have been unsuccessful.