Asiad pleads not guilty, rejects plea deal offer

A local doctor was in court Thursday morning over allegations of insurance fraud.

Dr. Mohamed Asiad pleaded not guilty to felony insurance fraud charges. He’s being charged with two felony counts and one misdemeanor relating to a report he made last year of an alleged stolen vehicle.

Dr. Asiad was arrested in February and said he did nothing wrong and that he’s being persecuted for criticizing the Calexico Police Department. He added that they mishandled a case involving one of his sons. It was the Calexico police that arrested Asiad.

In statements made at the time of his arrest, police said Asiad took his vehicle across the border, left it there, and then claimed it had been stolen at the Santo Tomas Swap Meet.

The D.A. offered a plea deal in which if Asiad pleads guilty to the felony charges, he won’t serve any jail time but will receive probation. Asiad has not accepted the offer.

“That’s up to every person who’s offered a deal. I can’t comment on what they should or shouldn’t. They have the right to take a plea deal if it’s offered. They also have the right to go to trial. And they have to decide what’s in their best interest,” said Heather Trapnell with the Imperial County Deputy District Attorney.

He’s due back in court on June 9th. Watch our newscasts for more details.