By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — Disgraced financial advisor to the stars Kenneth Starr pleaded not guilty Friday to a 23-count indictment alleging that he swindled at least 11 clients out of $59 million.
The indictment accused the 66-year-old financial manager to the stars of operating a Ponzi scheme using money that his clients, allegedly including Uma Thurman and Jacob the Jeweler, had entrusted to him.
Starr was arrested and initially charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, misappropriation of funds, among other charges on May 27. Since then, prosecutors have raised the number of victims from seven to 11 and the amount of money scammed from $30 million to $59 million.
After a string of lawyer's dropped him, Starr — whose assets remain frozen — was assigned a public defender, Sabrina Shroff. Shroff said it was likely her temporary client would retain a private attorney "by the middle of next week."
Starr, his companies and his wife, Diane Passage, are also accused in a lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Passage was represented by Abbe Lowell, a high-powered Washington attorney, who appeared on Bill Clinton's behalf during Congressional impeachment hearings. Lowell told reporters he was working for free temporarily, but would not elaborate.
Starr was charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, misappropriation of funds and other charges by the U.S. Attorney's office.
Starr has been jailed and held without bail since his arrest. He must submit a written bail application for reconsideration if he wants to reapply for release.
