Man charged in California warehouse fire says he's scapegoat

Published June 16, 2017

The man who helped book musical acts at an Oakland, California warehouse where 36 people were killed in a fire last December says prosecutors who charged him with involuntary manslaughter are making him into a scapegoat.

The Alameda County District Attorney's office says Max Harris and warehouse operator Derick Almena blocked access to an exit at the Oakland warehouse.

Harris told the East Bay Times in a jailhouse interview Thursday that he doubted that allegation.

Harris did not enter a plea Monday during his arraignment on 36 charges of involuntary manslaughter. Almena faces the same charges.

Authorities say they turned the Ghost Ship warehouse into a housing and party space and a fire hazard.

Almena's lawyers blame others including an electrical utility and the fire department.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/man-charged-in-california-warehouse-fire-says-hes-scapegoat