Major League Baseball

Dykstra ordered to stand trial after all

Published Jul. 23, 2011 1:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lenny Dykstra was ordered to stand trial on 25 criminal counts, including grand theft auto, for allegedly trying to lease cars using phony business and credit information.

His two co-defendants, Robert Hymers, 27, and Christopher Gavanis, 30, were also ordered Friday to stand trial. All three are due back in court for an arraignment on Aug. 8 in San Fernando Superior Court.

The 48-year-old ex-baseball star — who is also facing federal bankruptcy charges stemming from the alleged sale of property from his $18 million mansion in Ventura County — remains jailed, although his bail was reduced from $500,000 to $455,000.

Dykstra was charged June 6 along with his Hymers and Gavanis with trying to lease high-end vehicles from several area dealerships by providing false information and claiming credit through a phony business, Home Free Systems.

Dykstra and Hymers, an accountant, allegedly provided information at two dealerships from a man — who had not authorized his name to be used — who they claimed was a co-signer.

The three allegedly drove off with cars from one company by providing false information, while leases were not approved at two other dealerships.

During a search warrant served at Dysktra's Encino home in connection with his arrest April 14, Los Angeles police detectives found cocaine and ecstasy, along with the synthetic human growth hormone, Somatropin, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Dykstra is charged with eight counts of filing false financial statements, five counts of attempted grand theft auto, four counts of identity theft and three counts each of grand theft auto and possession of a controlled substance. All of the charges are felonies.

He also faces one misdemeanor count each of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and unauthorized possession of a syringe.

If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Hymers is charged with 17 felony counts, including grand theft auto and identity theft, while Gavanis faces six felony counts, including grand theft auto and false financial statements.