SIMI VALLEY : Woman Perjured in Defense of Husband

A former Simi Valley woman whose husband was convicted last June of molesting a young girl pleaded guilty on Monday to lying for the man during his trial.

Elba Centobene, 33, entered the plea of one count of perjury and is expected to receive probation, authorities said. She is eligible to receive a prison term of up to four years under state law.

Her husband, 29-year-old James Centobene, was convicted of 25 criminal counts in connection with sexual assaults on the girl from January, 1991, to January, 1992, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Dee Corona. The attacks occurred while the girl was 9 and 10 years old.

A jury found James Centobene guilty of 23 counts of child molestation, including 15 that included special allegations of substantial sexual conduct, indicating either sexual penetration or oral copulation.

The jury also convicted him of two counts of child annoyance, which stem from baths he took with the girl, the prosecutor said.

During her husband’s trial last year, Elba Centobene testified that the man never admitted to her that he had molested the child. Police, however, had taped a phone call between the two in which the admissions were made.

Since his conviction, James Centobene has fired his attorney and is representing himself. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday but has asked Superior Court Judge James McNally for a new trial.