Salas, who was represented by court-appointed defense attorney David Banes, appeared in federal court on Friday to deny the charge of one count of extortion under color of official right.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric S. O’Malley, the prosecutor, filed the indictment against the 42-year-old Salas whose jury trial will start on Dec. 13, 2010, according to visiting Southern District of California Judge Roger T. Benitez.
The Oct. 27, 2010 preliminary hearing has been vacated.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Salas on Sept. 14, 2010 after the building inspector received a total of $200 from an owner of a printing press “in exchange for withholding administrative functions” such as imposing fines for building code violations.
During his arrest, FBI agents seized the $100 sting money from Salas’ vehicle.
Benitez said all pretrial release conditions remain in effect for Salas, who was released on his own recognizance.
