Kirk Vartanian's Attorney Responds | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Fresno, CA Kirk Vartanian is on the third floor in a large pod with many other inmates. His attorney spent some time with him to explain Wednesday's proceedings and get more information to present to the judge.

David Balakian was formally hired Tuesday afternoon to represent Fresno businessman Kirk Vartanian.

He says Vartanian denies any physical abuse including claims he tried to smother the female and held a knife to her face.

"After hearing Mr. Vartanian's explanation of events, I would also like her to invite me to the house let me look at the entire house. I would like to examine the layout of the house to look at the house, and the facts, and the charges to see if it fits. We believe it does not," said Balakian.

Tuesday the district attorney filed six charges, that's two more than Vartanian was initially held on. They include:

2 counts felony assault
1 count domestic violence
1 count criminal threats
1 count false imprisonment
1 count disobeying a court order

For now, a Nevada hold has halted plans to bail Vartanian out of jail. Las Vegas prosecutors accuse him of passing 250-thousand dollars worth of bad checks to major casinos. That, he says he was working to pay off.

The latest legal hurdles are now one more obstacle standing in the way of getting Granite Park's "Club Edge" up and running. Developing a business is difficult to accomplish behind bars.

"He's not happy with the situation. He's trying to start this project and all of this publicity does not help him. So he is very upset by everything that is going on. He wants to explain his version of the events."

His attorney provided few details about Vartanian's version of events. He did say the female involved is motivated and has incentive to make these claims. But when I probed further, he refused to get specific.

Vartanian will be arraigned Wednesday morning at 8:30.