Man Connected to ‘Freemen’ Enters Plea in Check Scam

A federal judge entered a not guilty plea Monday for a Moreno Valley man charged with assisting Montana “freemen” disciple M. Elizabeth Broderick of Palmdale in a million-dollar bogus check scam.

Adolph Hoch, 52, has refused to accept a defense lawyer, saying he is beyond the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts. He objected Monday to U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Hillman entering any plea on his behalf.

Hoch is charged with mail fraud and conspiracy for allegedly helping Broderick, a student of Montana “freeman” LeRoy Schweitzer, to hold seminars for thousands who paid up to $200 to hear how Broderick’s homemade checks could pay off their debts.

Broderick calls the checks “comptroller’s warrants,” saying they are backed by liens she has filed against government and other funds. Officials say the checks are worthless and that Broderick and Hoch pocketed $1.5 million from the classes.

Last week, Broderick and two of her alleged accomplices objected as a federal judge entered not guilty pleas for them. They and Hoch remain in custody without bail.

Hoch’s daughter, Laura Marie Hooey of Loma Linda, has also been charged but is free pending $25,000 bail. Hooey is eight months pregnant and could not appear in court Monday. Her arraignment was rescheduled for May 13.

Their trial is scheduled to begin June 18.