A Sherman Oaks attorney who represents a key suspect in the "bling ring" celebrity burglary case has been indicted in a separate case for dissuading and bribing a witness, officials said today.<\/p>\n
Sean G. Erenstoft, 42, pleaded not guilty this morning after the indictment was unsealed. Prosecutors allege the attorney, while representing a defendant in a stalking case, filed a civil case against the victim to dissuade her from testifying against the defendant at his preliminary hearing.<\/p>\n
\n Prosecutors in the grand jury indictment also allege that Erenstoft later offered to drop the civil case in exchange for favorable testimony at his client\u2019s sentencing. <\/p>\n
Deputy L.A. County Dist. Atty. Paul Nunez of the justice system integrity division said the indictment charges Erenstoft with one count each of dissuading a witness, bribery of a witness and offering to bribe a witness.<\/p>\n
\nErenstoft was released on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court March 16 for a pretrial hearing.<\/p>\n