Dennis RomeroA motion to dismiss corruption charges against rave promoter Pasquale Rotella is being considered this week by the judge in the case.
See also: How Pasquale Rotella Built His Rave Empire.
A hearing on the dismissal request took place today. The judge in the case said more time was needed to consider the motion. And so a new court date was set for Sept. 27, we were told:
The motion was made by Rotella's lawyer. A parallel civil suit by the public L.A. Coliseum Commission against Rotella, fellow promoter Reza Gerami and ex–Coliseum manager Todd DeStefano saw all claims against the party organizers dismissed.
Prosecutors allege that the promoters in recent years paid more than $1.8 million under the table to DeStefano to ensure that parties go on smoothy at the Coliseum and sister venue the L.A. Sports Arena.
Credit: Rave kids by Timothy Norris for LA Weekly.
That's cash that could have or should have gone to the public venues, the District Attorney's office says.
The organizers, however, say that the money went to DeStefano for his work off-the-clock and outside the Coliseum, including coordination of portions of their festivals that happened on adjacent parking lots not under the control of the commission.
Raves were kicked out of the Coliseum and Sports Arena in 2011.
Send feedback and tips to the author. Follow Dennis Romero on Twitter at @dennisjromero. Follow LA Weekly News on Twitter at @laweeklynews.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.