Judge Orders Christiansen Criminal Records to be Destroyed

Less than one month after California Supreme Court refused to review an appellate court panel's decision to reverse a former Beverly Hills Unified School District consultant's conviction on four conflict-of-interest charges, a judge in the California Appellate Court Monday reversed Karen Christiansen's conviction and ordered the documents from her criminal case be destroyed.

Christiansen's attorney Hillel Chodos tells Patch Christiansen's received "a lot" of negative publicity since the case began, going as far as saying it's "ruined her life," and said they are moving forward with a civil case. A hearing is set for Oct. 23.

“It feels great to be vindicated," Christiansen said in a statement. "Now on to the civil case, a case that should have been heard and decided years ago."

Chodos said Judge Stephen Marcus' decision means the granting of a petition for factual innocence, noting that Christiansen’s arrest record and initial fingerprints at booking are all that's left on the record. Christiansen’s lawyers indicated Monday that the  destruction of the remaining documents will be the subject of an appeal.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District terminated its contract with Strategic Concepts in August 2009, where then Christiansen was the CEO of Strategic Concepts. At the time, it was the construction program and project management firm overseeing the implementation of Measure E, which authorized the district to spend up to $334 million for district facilities construction and renovation. 

At the time that Strategic Concepts’ contract was terminated, it employed 15 full-time construction, drafting, architectural, and other professionals. The district alleged that the contract with Strategic Concepts was void because Christiansen allegedly had a conflict of interest when the original contract was executed. Chodos said at that point Christiansen sued the district; and the district brought a counter-suit.

Three days before trial, the district arranged for Christiansen’s arrest and prosecution for alleged criminal conflict of interest violations. After being convicted at trial, Christiansen appealed and the California Appellate Court ruled in Christiansen’s favor, acquitting her of all charges and overturning a 4.4 year-long prison sentence and $3.5 million restitution order.

The California Attorney General’s Office petitioned the California Supreme Court for review and it was summarily denied. As a result, the California Appellate Court’s order was remanded to the trial court.

A representative from BHUSD declined to comment on the conviction reversal.