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Fayed enters not guilty plea in license case
Though not charged in wife's slaying, he remains a suspect, police say
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LOS ANGELES — A Moorpark man whose estranged wife was fatally stabbed in a Century City parking garage pleaded not guilty Monday to operating a money-transmitting business without a license.
James Fayed, 45, entered his plea in U.S. District Court before Judge Charles Eick. The charge involves Goldfinger Coin & Bullion Inc., an Internet currency-trading business Fayed had operated with wife Pamela Fayed.
Pamela Fayed, 45, of Camarillo was stabbed to death July 28 as she was leaving a meeting with her husband and their attorneys.
James Fayed was arrested later that week by federal agents on the licensing charge. An indictment against him and the company was filed under seal on Feb. 26.
Although Fayed has not been charged in the slaying case, Los Angeles police Detective Mike Pelletier said Monday that he is a suspect.
On Monday, attorney James Spertus, representing Goldfinger Coin & Bullion, entered a plea of not guilty for the company.
Fayed's attorney, Mark Werksman, told Eick that his client is in pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and asked that Fayed receive a complete medical and physical screening.
"He is in constant pain," Werksman said after the hearing. "He hasn't been getting proper medical treatment in federal jail and that troubles us."
Eick issued a medical order calling for a jail doctor to evaluate Fayed.
Fayed's trial on the licensing charge is set for Sept. 30. A status conference will take place Sept. 15.
Werksman said he hopes to raise the issue of bail before the judge soon. Fayed was initially granted bail, but it was revoked on appeal this month.
Federal prosecutors had argued the links among the stabbing case, Fayed and the business made him a flight risk.
The prosecution argued that a red sport utility vehicle leaving the scene of the slaying had been rented with a credit card under Fayed's and the company's names. The credit card was found in Fayed's wallet.
The slaying took place a day before the couple were to attend a divorce hearing in which a family law judge was expected to order Fayed to pay about $1 million in future and back support to Pamela Fayed.
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