L.A. Attorney Fatally Shot in the Head

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Sheriff's detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of prominent Los Angeles attorney Jeffery Tidus, who was found shot in the head on the lawn of his Rolling Hills Estates home Monday night after returning from a social event.

Neighbors reported seeing Tidus go into his home before going back out to his car to get his laptop at around 8:30 p.m. Monday, according to media reports. His wife Sheryl was inside the house.

Neighbors thought he had fallen and did not realize he had been shot until paramedics arrived, an unidentified witness told The Los Angeles Times.

Tidus died at the hospital at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the paper reported.

Tidus, an attorney with the law firm Baute & Tidus in Downtown Los Angeles, was known for doing pro bono work for needy clients. He actively made political contributions, and was a former board member of the California State Bar.

According to the firm's Web site, Tidus represented New Century Financial, a now-defunct subprime mortgage lender, as well as other corporate clients.

KTLA News reported that on Monday, federal officials accused three of New Century Financial's former top executives of fraud.

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