Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez is free on bail.
Noguez, who had been jailed in lieu of $1.16 million bail since his Oct. 17 arrest for allegedly lowering property tax bills for campaign contributors, was released from the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles just before 9 p.m. Friday after posting bond, according to sheriff's online booking records.
Noguez's release came after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Shelly Torrealba lifted a hold that had been in place for months to allow prosecutors to examine the sources of the bail money to ensure it had been legally obtained.
Noguez left through the rear of the jail, away from the view of news cameras, and later arrived home in Huntington Park, according to broadcast reports.
Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman told reporters the prosecution worked with the bail bondsman and defense counsel to examine the bail sources, and interviewed "the substantial donors."
Noguez's bail was initially reduced Oct. 22 from $1.385 million to $1.16 million, but the judge denied two more defense requests that the 48-year-old assessor's bail be lowered further.
Noguez, who is represented by defense attorney Michael Proctor, is due back in court April 23, when a date is expected to be set for a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial on 13 counts of misappropriation by a public officer, five counts of perjury, four counts of accepting bribes and two counts of conspiracy.
