Man Charged in Thefts From Jailed Rock Star
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A moving company employee was charged Wednesday with stealing $25,000 worth of jewelry from the home of rock singer Rick James, who has been in jail since Aug. 2.
Prosecutors in the San Fernando Courthouse filed a charge of grand theft against Jeffrey Matusak, 31, who Deputy Dist. Atty. Lori Dery identified as part of a crew hired to move items out of James’ gated home while the singer was behind bars.
Also on Wednesday, James’ $1 million bail was cut in half. James, 43, known as the “king of funk,” and girlfriend Tanya Hijazi, 21, have been held on charges of torturing and sexually assaulting a woman while holding her hostage in the singer’s Hollywood Hills home. Robert Sheahen, James’ attorney, said that the singer should be able to post bail by the end of the week.
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