By Carolyn Sackariason
Daily Press Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN LA — County prosecutors are expected to decide this week whether to file charges against a popular radio show host accused of drugging a teenager at a local bar.

Chris Douridas, host of “New Ground,” a music program aired on KCRW (89.9 FM) each Saturday, was arrested outside of the Circle Bar on Main Street shortly after midnight on Jan. 6. Douridas, 43, of Los Angeles, was arrested by the Santa Monica Police for poisoning and kidnapping, possession of a controlled substance, as well as health and safety code violations, said SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega. Douridas’ bail was set at $1 million

Also arrested was another suspect of Malibu, who was with Douridas at the bar. The other suspect was arrested for kidnapping with the intent to commit robbery or rape, poisoning and attempted rape, according to Fabrega. His bail was also set at $1 million.

Los Angeles District Attorney Office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said prosecutors are still reviewing the case and may make a decision within the next few days whether to file charges against Douridas and the other suspect.

Douridas’ employer — KCRW, which airs its broadcast from the Santa Monica College campus on Pico Boulevard — is standing by him.

“Chris has been with us for 15 years, during which he has interacted with thousands of people, men and women of all ages, and has been entirely appropriate at all times,” said Jennifer Ferro, assistant general manager at KCRW. “We believe in Chris as a person, and we think he has strong character.

“We also think people are innocent until proven guilty.”

Douridas, who posted bail three days after being arrested, released a statement on Thursday.

“I am completely confident that I am going to be vindicated and that I am going to clear my name,” Douridas said. “I am beside myself with gratitude that KCRW stood behind me on this. Along with my family and friends, they know me better than anybody.”

But a witness, Juan Hernandez, who stood just a few feet away from Douridas at the club’s bar, said he watched the men allegedly put an unknown substance into a 14-year-old girl’s drink when she went outside to take a phone call. Within 10 minutes, the girl, who entered the club using her older cousin’s identification, fell ill.

“She was crazy,” explained Hernandez in broken English, describing the girl as nearly unconscious and vomiting. “I was just watching them and I saw him put powder in her drink.”

When the teenager became disoriented, Douridas and the other suspect allegedly carried her outside and into a vehicle parked outside of the Main Street bar, Hernandez said.

As Hernandez watched the events unfold, he immediately ran to the doorman and reported the alleged drugging. The doorman then informed Circle Bar co-owner Will Karges of the situation. Karges told the doorman to call police while he approached Douridas and the other suspect, who had allegedly put the unconscious girl into a car parked just a few feet away from the bar’s front door.

Karges said he was successful in convincing the men to remove the girl from the car. She was placed on the sidewalk, lying face down, convulsing and unconscious. Police and paramedics arrived shortly after, attempting to revive the girl at the scene to no avail. She was then taken to a local hospital, where her condition is not known. The victim’s identity is being withheld because she is a minor.

Karges said the SMPD’s forensic unit showed up and cordoned off a section of the area with police tape and began surveying the crime scene. A bartender had saved the supposed tainted drink that was left on the bar and a capsule was found on the floor.

Hernandez said he was interviewed by police for nearly five hours that morning, which he said he was happy to do. He feels proud that he helped save the girl.

“I was worried. I thought she might die,” said Hernandez, 26, who works as a bus boy at Broadway Deli.

Karges said if it weren’t for Hernandez, the girl could have died.

“That guy is a hero,” Karges said, adding that while the situation has put his establishment in a negative light because the girl was a minor, he had no choice but to call police to ensure that the alleged druggers would be caught.

“We took every possible measure to help her and get these guys,” Karges said. “We got involved and feel the consequences, but we wouldn’t have done anything different.”

Karges and Hernandez both contend the girl looked much older than her age. She is described as Asian, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a body that was developed beyond her early teenage years. She was dressed nicely and accessorized, and clearly felt comfortable in a bar setting, especially given that she was by herself.

“She was no 14-year-old ,” Karges said, adding he also has a 14-year-old child.

Fabrega said the staff at the Circle Bar did everything they were supposed to do.

“The bar is responsible in verifying and checking identification and in this event, the bar was in compliance and checked the ID of the victim,” he said. “The police department appreciates the staff of the establishment in notifying us. If they hadn’t, the results may have been very different, very tragic.”

Karges said his staff is extremely diligent about checking identification at the door and oftentimes at the bar. Beyond asking patrons for two forms of ID, he doesn’t know what else his staff could have done to prevent someone underage into the club.

“I’m upset because (the situation) put my livelihood in jeopardy,” Karges said. “Falsifying identification is a big deal ... I’d like to know where her parents are.”

Fabrega said parents need to keep tabs on their children, not just where they are but what they are doing in their rooms and on their computers. If there is evidence suggesting they are altering identification, parents need to act quickly.

“If they don’t, (the kids) could get in big trouble, such as this case,” he said. “The final outcome could have been disastrous.”