COUNSELING CENTER'S OFFICIALS REFUSE TO TESTIFY

Three officials of a Costa Mesa counseling center refused to testify Friday
at a court hearing concerning alleged mistreatment of criminal defendants
referred to their program.

The director, assistant director and a consulting psychologist of the Center
for Creative Alternatives invoked their Fifth Amendment protection against
self-incrimination at a hearing before Judge Pamela Iles in Laguna Niguel.

Clients have accused center director Alan Hershaft and his staff of charging
excessive fees, ordering extended treatment and misleading courts and the
county probation department.

The Public Defender's Office has asked Iles to consider requesting a grand
jury investigation of the center at the conclusion of a hearing.

Iles could have ruled on the request Friday, but an appellate court issued a
partial stay to the proceedings and questioned whether Isles has
jurisdiction.

Creative Alternatives is approved for both drug and domestic violence
treatment at offices in Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills and Huntington Beach.

Assistant Public Defender David Dworakowski said evidence presented at
Friday's hearing strongly indicates the center misled probation in an
application it submitted in order to be approved to treat defendants.

The program asserted that its unlicensed group leaders make decisions on
cases only after consulting with psychologist Charles Hamburger. On Friday,
Dworakowski submitted a sworn declaration from Hamburger stating that he has
never consulted with the program in regard to its reports to the court or
requests for extended treatment.