LOS ANGELES - A judge refused to dismiss charges Friday against a group accused of burglarizing celebrities' homes based on an officer's paid work on a film about the case, but called the investigator's actions "stupid" and a gift for defense attorneys.
An attorney for Roy Lopez Jr., who is charged with burglarizing Paris Hilton's home, argued the $12,500 paid to the lead investigator for work on Sofia Coppola's upcoming film on the case was outrageous conduct that justified a dismissal.
Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler disagreed during Friday's hearing, but criticized Los Angeles Police Officer Brett Goodkin's work on "The Bling Ring."
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"His judgment is as poor as it gets," Fidler said, adding that he would allow defense attorneys for three remaining defendants to extensively question him about his credibility during trial.