July 22, 2011 - Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra ordered to stand trial, Daily News

SAN FERNANDO - Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra was ordered today to stand trial on 25 criminal counts, including grand theft auto, for allegedly trying to lease cars using phony business and credit information.

His two co-defendants, Robert Hymers, 27, and Christopher Gavanis, 30, were also been ordered to stand trial, and all three are due back in court for arraignment on Aug. 8 in San Fernando Superior Court.

The 48-year-old ex-baseball star -- who is also facing federal bankruptcy charges stemming from the alleged sale of property from his $18 million mansion in Ventura County -- remains jailed, although his bail was reduced from $500,000 to $455,000.

Judge David W. Stuart said at the conclusion of the two-day preliminary hearing that he has a "strong suspicion all three of you were involved in all these counts and schemes the offenses have been committed."

During the hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to order the three men to stand trial, Los Angeles Police Detective Juan Contreras testified that Dykstra's alleged mortgage relief company, Home Free Systems, is a fraud the ex-athlete used as a shell company.

Dykstra "used" his co-defendants to accomplish his scheme to buy or lease luxury cars, Contreras said, calling Dykstra "the devil" because he "destroys people's lives."

Dykstra was charged June 6 along with his Hymers and Gavanis with trying to lease high-end vehicles from several area
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dealerships by providing false information and claiming credit through Home Free Systems.

Dykstra and Hymers, an accountant, allegedly provided information at two dealerships from a man -- who had not authorized his name to be used -- who they claimed was a co-signer.

The three allegedly drove off with cars from one company by providing false information, while leases were not approved at two other dealerships.

Dykstra's attorney, Andrew Reed Flier, argued that because the leases in two cases were not approved, "where is the crime? None of the cars left the lot."

Wearing jail-issued orange clothes while shackled at the waist, Dykstra seemed to be fully involved in his defense, pouring over court documents and conferring often with his attorney.

Hymers' lawyer, James E. Blatt, argued unsuccessfully that charges should be dropped against his client based on what he called the "faulty recollection" of Contreras.

"Investigation wasn't done in critical areas," Blatt said, adding that there is no evidence Hymers "even saw the paperwork" he is charged with attempting to use to acquire automobiles.

During a search warrant served at Dysktra's Encino home in connection with his arrest April 14, Los Angeles police detectives found cocaine and Ecstasy, along with the synthetic human growth hormone, Somatropin, according to Deputy District Attorney Alexander Karkanen.

Dykstra is charged with eight counts of filing false financial statements, five counts of attempted grand theft auto, four counts of identity theft and three counts each of grand theft auto and possession of a controlled substance. All of those charges are felonies.

He also faces one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and unauthorized possession of a syringe.

If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Hymers is charged with 17 felony counts, including grand theft auto and identity theft, while Gavanis faces six felony counts, including grand theft auto and false financial statements.