Husband of Woman Killed in Century City Remains in Prison


StoriesPolice Pursuing Leads in Case of Woman Stabbed in Parking Garage


Los Angeles -- The estranged husband of a woman who was stabbed to death in Century City was ordered jailed without bail Wednesday on a charge of operating a financial business without a license, with a federal judge citing the "grave" risk that he could flee the country.

U.S. District Judge Otis Wright overruled an earlier decision by a federal magistrate judge setting James Michael Fayed's bail at $500,000. Fayed's 44-year-old wife, Pamela, was killed July 28. Fayed, 45, has not been charged in connection with the slaying, but prosecutors claim in court documents that he is "the primary suspect" in his wife's death.

According to court documents filed by federal prosecutors Tuesday, Pamela Fayed's criminal defense attorney notified prosecutors about a month before her slaying that she wanted to cooperate in a criminal probe into the business she owned with her estranged husband.

The disclosure was made in documents filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Aveis in an effort to convince Wright that Fayed is a danger to the community and a flight risk who should be held without bail.

During a court hearing today, Wright agreed, stating, "The possibility of flight is too grave."

Fayed was arrested Friday night on a federal charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. He was indicted in February, but the indictment remained sealed until 11:30 p.m. Friday.

The judge also said a $500,000 bail amount for a defendant whom prosecutors estimate has $2.2 million in real estate equity and about $7 million in assets "gives me no comfort whatsoever."

Wright cited the prosecution's court documents in making his decision. He also said allegations that the killer's getaway car had been rented with James Fayed's credit card, which police later found in his wallet, factored into his decision.

"Sooner or later, the other shoe is going to drop," Wright said.

Wright gave Fayed the opportunity to appeal the ruling after his arraignment, which is set for Aug. 18.

James Fayed's attorney, Mark Werksman, said there was no evidence that his client's wife was cooperating with the government or, if she was, that his client knew about it.

Werksman also accused the government of presenting its case with hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations and said the real focus was the lone federal charge of operating an unlicensed money business.

"They tell a story, they paint a picture -- but not the whole picture," Werksman said.

But a testy Wright disagreed with the defense attorney.

"I could (sic) care less he was operating a business without a license," the judge sternly said. "He'd be home by now."

"The stakes have gone up," Wright later added.

On Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ralph Zarefsky denied the request that Fayed be held without bail, citing "pretty thin" evidence connecting the murder to the federal case. Zarefsky set bail at $500,000, but he ordered Fayed  held until today to allow prosecutors to appeal the decision.

In an 11-page memo filed Tuesday requesting reconsideration of that ruling, Aveis argued that he only needed to show that Fayed was a danger and a flight risk.

Aveis also noted in his filing that James Fayed was likely to be ordered to pay about $1 million in spousal support, attorney fees and court sanctions at a hearing set for July 29, the day after his wife was killed.

According to Aveis, Pamela Fayed told a close friend that her husband told her, "I could have you killed and my hands would be clean."

Pamela, the co-owner of Goldfinger Coin and Bullion Sales and an associated Internet firm, E-Bullion, was murdered about 6:35 p.m. July 28.

Witnesses said the woman was repeatedly stabbed by a slender man in his 20s who fled in an SUV as she screamed for help.

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