Obagi, Jr. State Bar trial starts, moves to May

District Four city councilman Zein Obagi, Jr. Photo by Garth Meyer

by Garth Meyer

Redondo Beach City Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr.’s State Bar trial for alleged misconduct started April 18 in San Francisco, then was delayed until mid-May because of a witness waiver.

According to a State Bar spokesperson, two witnesses for Obagi were not available when scheduled to testify, so the Chief Trial Counsel agreed to take their testimony out of order, on the first day of the trial.

After the first witness was examined and excused, an issue came up regarding a waiver of attorney-client privilege for the second witness. 

Briefs were thus required from the Chief Counsel and Obagi attorney Erin Joyce. Judge Manjari Chawl suspended the trial, with an order to resume May 16.

The case against Obagi stems from a financial dealing with a former client, and a subsequent malpractice suit Obagi filed against his original attorney for the first seven State Bar counts against him – filed in the summer of 2021. 

Last December, the State Bar added five new charges against Obagi, regarding the malpractice suit. His trial is now scheduled to run May 16-20. ER

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