Lacruz-Romero, a pilot who worked for John Travolta, has been battling a legal case since his arrest in March 2024. The pilot, alongside co-defendant Jordan Coursey, was accused of serious criminal offenses, including organized fraud and grand theft. Prosecutors alleged that the duo had orchestrated a scheme that involved the inflation of fuel invoices purchased with Travolta’s company’s credit cards from Lux Fuels, a company owned by Lacruz-Romero’s wife, and funneling money to his own company, JPL Aviation, to the tune of almost $800,000.
However, the ongoing legal battle has taken an unexpected turn. Lacruz-Romero recently made a strategic move, listing the actor and his personal trainer, James Marino, as potential witnesses in his defense.
Lacruz-Romero’s legal team gives reason for listing John Travolta and James Marino as potential witnesses
Lacruz-Romero’s legal team revealed that Travolta and his trainer had to be involved because their client’s charges were related to his role as his pilot. They showed that the pilot’s actions were conducted under the actor’s purview, suggesting his culpability as he was always personally involved in authorizing all critical aircraft-related transactions in his position as the sole officer and director of Constellation Productions.
Also, the defense team fingered Marino, the 71-year-old’s longtime personal trainer, as a potential witness with firsthand insights into the operations and transactions under investigation. They noted that the trainer has a close relationship with the actor, frequently traveling with him, and even reportedly had a personal bedroom in Travolta’s residence, thus making him a key figure who could possess insider knowledge of Travolta’s company’s operations.
Prosecutors slam Lacruz-Romero’s legal team for the inclusion of John Travolta and his trainer as witnesses
Responding to the defense team’s inclusion of Travolta and Marino in the list of potential witnesses, prosecutors have voiced their strong disapproval, claiming none of the men had direct knowledge of the facts surrounding Lacruz-Romero’s crimes. They argued that the defense’s moves seemed to be motivated by plans to harass, inconvenience, and invade the privacy of the high-profile figures rather than fight their case with relevant testimony.
The prosecution has further requested that if the court grants the prayers made by Lacruz-Romero’s legal team, a closed-door hearing should be held to prevent unnecessary public scrutiny and protect the privacy of those involved.