FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — Well-known businessman Robert “Bobby” Salazar entered the federal courthouse Monday wearing a suit and an ankle monitor.
We caught up with him ahead of his status hearing.
“Bobby, do you have anything to say about the accusations?” I asked Salazar.
“I’m innocent,” Salazar answered.
A federal judge says Salazar posted his $1,000,000 bond and can remain out of jail as his case goes through the court system.
Legal analyst Roger Bonakdar says that bond didn’t have to be paid all in cash.
“They can put up property, for example, a house that has $500,000 of equity and sign over the deed. It gets posted and surrendered to the court so they can’t borrow against it or sell it, so they tie up that asset so if they fail to comply, that asset is at risk,” Bonakdar explained.
Salazar is accused of hiring a member of a local motorcycle gang to torch one of his namesake restaurants on Blackstone in Central Fresno last year.
He received nearly $1 million in insurance money following that fire.
Salazar has pleaded not guilty to two arson-related felonies and firearms charges after investigators discovered five firearms at his home, including four with serial numbers removed and one ghost gun.
“Now, why do you think they’re pinning this on you?” I asked Salazar.
“I don’t know,” he answered.
Salazar faces a lengthy sentence behind bars if convicted.
“The maximum sentence on the first count is 10 years and the second is 20, so that’s 30 years potentially on the arson-related charges alone,” Bonakdar stated.
His preliminary hearing is set for October 9.
