A federal public defender for Francis Robert Fritzky, known in Moraga as Bob, who has pleaded guilty to charges of embezzling over $200,000 from the Moraga Community Foundation, told the court on July 30 that his client is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, although he had not yet received the results of a test for the disease. Fritzky, the former treasurer of the Moraga Community Foundation, was scheduled to be sentenced, a hearing that had already been postponed when Fritzky dismissed his counsel, opting to be represented by the public defender instead. His lawyer requested the continuance on the grounds that Fritzky might not have been fully competent to gather his thoughts and address the court in the circumstances.
Fritzky lives with his daughter and his fiancé, both of whom are ill with COVID. Judge Jon S. Tigar ordered the matter continued to an in-person hearing on Aug. 27, and ordered Fritzky to present a negative COVID test prior to the start of the proceedings. Prosecutor Barbara J. Valliere and Katrina Chu of U.S. probation both agreed to the continuance and told the judge that they are available for the new hearing date. Valliere did point out that there were persons present on the Zoom call for the sentencing who were prepared to address the court, but did not contest the continuance.
Fritzky lives with his daughter and his fiancé, both of whom are ill with COVID. Judge Jon S. Tigar ordered the matter continued to an in-person hearing on Aug. 27, and ordered Fritzky to present a negative COVID test prior to the start of the proceedings. Prosecutor Barbara J. Valliere and Katrina Chu of U.S. probation both agreed to the continuance and told the judge that they are available for the new hearing date. Valliere did point out that there were persons present on the Zoom call for the sentencing who were prepared to address the court, but did not contest the continuance.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA