Sacto 9-1-1

By Sam Stanton
sstanton@sacbee.com

Lawyers for indicted tomato king Frederick Scott Salyer are renewing their efforts to spring him from the Sacramento County Jail on bail, this time by having his friends and family put up their homes as an assurance that he will not flee the country if he is released.

In a motion filed in federal court in Sacramento, Salyer attorney Malcolm Segal states that Salyer's "family and longtime friends have rallied to his support and trust him not to flee."

Together, they have offered to put up $2 million in cash and property as collateral to ensure that Salyer will remain in this country and stand trial on bribery, racketeering and other charges.

Federal prosecutors have repeatedly opposed Salyer's release on bail, arguing that he has access to millions of dollars and is a flight risk, especially because he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton originally approved Salyer's release in March, provided he come up with $6 million in bail, most of it from his Pebble Beach mansion.

But Salyer couldn't raise the full amount because of a legal battle with his ex-wife over the mansion, and he has remained in custody.

Now, Segal says his client's sister, Linda Lee, is offering to put up her own home as well as another house she owns that Salyer's sister, Christine, lives in.

Two longtime Salyer friends -- Robert Pruett and Calvin Carter -- also have offered their own homes as collateral.

"Each of the persons posting the property is prepared to declare under oath that the loss of the property would have a serious adverse impact on his or her financial status and resources," Segal wrote.

Segal says Salyer could be monitored through use of an electronic tracking bracelet as well as in-person visits to check up on him by Robert Storey, a former federal court probation officer.

Prosecutors contend they have taken extraordinary steps to ensure that the 54-year-old former SK Foods chief can plan his defense from jail, where he has access to a special room to plot strategy and review documents.

But Segal argues that it is impossible for him to mount an effective defense in such a complex case and that Salyer's health continues to deteriorate in custody.

"He still has diabetes, often displays shakiness -- a sympton of low blood sugar, and has lost 30 pounds during his incarceration," Segal wrote.

Call The Bee's Sam Stanton, (916) 321-1091.