Hearing set in case against former assistant assessor

A judge set a preliminary hearing date Wednesday in the case against former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman, according to prosecutors.

Aleman is charged with three counts of preparing false evidence and one count each of offering false evidence, destruction of property and vandalism.

The preliminary hearing will be March 26 in San Bernardino Superior Court, confirmed Deputy District Attorney John Goritz. A pre-preliminary hearing, to determine the lawyers' readiness, will be held March 24.

At the preliminary hearing, a judge will listen to witness testimony and review exhibits to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to hold over the defendant for trial.

Aleman was arrested June 30, 2008, the same day the county Grand Jury's report was released. The report examined potentially illegal operations in the Assessor's Office, and prosecutors were concerned he was trying to mislead that investigation.