OAKLAND, Calif. _ Derick Almena, the leader of the Ghost Ship warehouse where 36 people died earlier this month in a fast-moving blaze, has retained the services of famed attorney Tony Serra, along with two other lawyers who work in the same San Francisco office.
"I can only confirm that we are representing him in a pre-charge capacity," said attorney Jeffrey Krasnoff in a phone conversation with this newspaper. He declined to answer any questions about Almena, who spoke almost exclusively with NBC news affiliates following the fire after receiving free lodging at an Oakland hotel.
Serra and Krasnoff work at Pier 5 Law Offices in San Francisco with a number of sole practitioner attorneys who work on criminal defense and civil rights litigation involving progressive causes, such as medical marijuana, the environment and civil liberties, according to the website.
Serra has defended a number of high-profile clients over the decades, including Huey Newton, Ellie Nesler, Sarah Jane Olson and the Hells Angels. Most recently, he represented Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow in a major federal racketeering case.
Almena, 46, has been roundly criticized since the deadly Dec. 2 fire, especially after he posted a Facebook message bemoaning the loss of his belongings, but not mentioning the massive loss of life. He later said he did not know anyone had been killed when he wrote the message. Others have said Almena ignored safety issues to create the cluttered, artistic space, creating a "fire trap," while the married father of three said he was providing an affordable space for those marginalized elsewhere.
In an emotional "Today" show interview, Almena broke down while filming a TV segment, apologizing to everyone and saying he'd rather feel the wrath of the victims' parents than answer more questions.
Otherwise, Almena has avoided the spotlight since the fire, turning up once in a photo purportedly showing him with some warehouse fire survivors at an Oakland Denny's restaurant. The photo was labeled a "TMZ exclusive."
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley has said a criminal probe is underway.
"The range of charges could be murder all the way to involuntary manslaughter," she said at an earlier news conference. "And until we know what the evidence shows us, there may be other charges if the evidence presents that."
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