Antonovich Is Dealt Blow in Influence Case : Courts: A judge denies the supervisor’s motions for new trial and reduction of $3.6-million jury award.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich lost a round Wednesday in his fight to reverse a civil jury that found him guilty of conspiring to influence a judge on behalf of a campaign contributor.

Orange County Superior Court Judge William W. Bedsworth denied motions for either a new trial or for reduction of about $3.6 million in compensatory and punitive damages awarded by the jury in October.

“There was substantial evidence to support the verdict,” Bedsworth stated in his brief ruling.

The jury had rejected Antonovich’s argument that he had done nothing improper in telephoning Judge Eric Younger almost five years ago on behalf of Krikor Suri and his jewelry business partners, who were embroiled in a lawsuit with another partner, Avedis Kasparian.

Two months after Antonovich’s call, Younger excused himself from the case. In a deposition, Younger said he was “uncomfortable about the call either having an impact or the appearance of an impact.”

Kasparian then sued Suri, Jak Sukyas, Western Jewelry Mart Joint Venture, Antonovich and the county. The county was named because Antonovich was said to be acting within his official duties.

A higher court may side with Antonovich and the other defendants when the case comes up on appeal next year, but Bedsworth’s ruling is extremely encouraging, said Kasparian’s lawyer, Bruce E. Altschuld.

“This is a big victory,” Altschuld said.

But Antonovich downplayed the significance of the ruling.

“It’s normal procedure for a trial judge,” Antonovich said. “I’m confident that there are legal grounds that will lead to a reversal by the court of appeal.”

If the civil judgment is not reversed, county taxpayers could end up footing the bill for the $1.2 million in compensatory damages awarded by the jury. That’s because the county agreed to pay Antonovich’s unspecified share of those damages in exchange for immunity from punitive damages, and because the other defendants’ jewelry company has gone bankrupt.

But the county is not liable for any damages until the higher court decides the case, said Principal Deputy County Counsel J. Patrick Joyce. Earlier this month, the county rejected Kasparian’s offer to settle the case for $750,000, Joyce said.

“It’s my inclination not to pay a dime,” Joyce said.

If the county ultimately loses, it will also be liable for 7% annual interest on the $1.2-million award, or about $90,000 a year, Altschuld said. Kasparian also plans to ask the appeals court for $600,000 in additional back interest, Altschuld said.