Sid vows: ‘I will return’

Greg Risling

Sid Soffer wouldn’t make any bold predictions about the Super Bowl. But

he said there is one bet that can’t miss.

“I’m definitely coming back,” Soffer proclaimed.

The restaurant owner-turned-fugitive, who has been living in Las Vegas

for more than four years, is promising a return to the Newport-Mesa area

he adores sometime during this year.

“It’s just a question of when,” he added.

Soffer spends his days doing his legal homework and studying for the test

of his life. The one that, if he passes, can get him back home.

His saga has become local folklore. Soffer fought with the city of Costa

Mesa over building code violations at several of his properties back in

1995. He was convicted, but failed to show up for his sentencing date,

prompting Orange County Superior Court Judge Susanne Shaw to issue a

$250,000 bench warrant for his arrest.

Soffer had fled to Sin City. Shaw then issued a no-bail warrant for his

misdemeanor crime. He hasn’t been extradited from the Silver State

because the law applies only for felonies.

Although a higher court said the bail was excessive, Soffer remains in

Las Vegas. gearing up for a major battle.

Soffer believes now is an opportune time because Shaw herself is facing

her own set of legal troubles. The state’s Judicial Performance

Commission is investigating her for allegations of misconduct while

sitting on the bench. A three-member judicial panel listened to the

claims in November and will submit a report to the state agency by Feb.

18.

Soffer wants to file the legal papers in Shaw’s courtroom sooner rather

than later because he believes she must be on her best behavior during

the investigation.

“Shaw is going to have to conduct herself properly because she is under

investigation,” said Soffer, who also claims he has been contacted by the

state commission about his problems with Shaw.

Not many people are talking about Soffer’s imminent return. Even his

attorney didn’t want to comment about the pending legal matters.

According to Soffer, the paperwork he plans to file will claim the

charges against him were changed in the middle of his trial and that he

never received proper notice from the city about the violations.

“We really have so many avenues to pursue,” he said. “I wish it was

simple and we can focus on one thing.”

Soffer said the Newport Beach restaurant named after him is suffering

from his long-distance attempt to manage the place. The restaurant has

been shut down several times on the weekends and he estimates he loses

about $40,000 a month. He said if he is ever coming back, the time is

now.

“Financially, it’s killing me,” he said. “We are encountering problems

every day. Most people can’t survive in the restaurant business, let

alone run it for four years when you aren’t physically there.”