Charges Against Councilman's Son Could Be Dismissed After Diversion

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A son of Beverly Hills City Councilman Lester Friedman will be allowed to enter a six-month diversion program that could result in the dismissal of charges related to the creation of a fake social media account impersonating another City Council candidate.

Over the prosecution's objection, Superior Court Judge Wendy Segall ordered Adam Friedman, 37, to perform 50 hours of community service with a non-profit organization as a part of the diversion program.

The judge said she was "not going to order Mr. Friedman to declare a public apology." However, she said an apology would be welcome and indicated that she would then be willing to reconsider the required community service hours.

Adam Friedman was charged on July 13 with one felony count of identity theft and one misdemeanor count of internet/electronic impersonation, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. He is accused of having set up a fake Instagram account posing as Sharona Nazarian, who was running against Lester Friedman for Beverly Hills City Council. Both Friedman and Nazarian were elected.

In August, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge reduced the felony count of identity theft against Friedman to a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor count, though, remained. Friedman pleaded not guilty to both charges on July 18, according to the district attorney's office.

City News Service contributed to this report.