Rubin's indictment won't hurt city case, attorney says

Gary Moskowitz

BURBANK -- The federal indictment of a Jewish activist will not affect

his lawsuit against the city for allowing sectarian prayers at council

meetings, his civil attorney said Friday.

Irv Rubin was indicted Thursday on suspicion of conspiring to bomb a

mosque and the office of an Arab-American congressman. The nine charges

could mean two life sentences, plus 75 additional years for Rubin if he

is convicted.

"[The indictment] will have zero affect. The facts about which he

testified are not in dispute," said Rubin's attorney, Roger Jon Diamond,

of the case against the city. Diamond does not represent Rubin in the

criminal case.

Rubin sued in 1999 after a Mormon bishop used the term "Jesus Christ"

in a prayer before a council meeting. The case is pending in appellate

court.