A federal judge ordered a new trial in the case of George Torres
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A federal judge has ordered a new trial in the case of George Torres, founder of a Los Angeles grocery store chain, on charges related to tax fraud and employing illegal immigrants. 

Torres had been convicted in April of 55 felony counts ranging from bribery to solicitation of murder. But Judge Stephen Wilson threw out some of the more serious convictions in June when prosecutors admitted to withholding evidence that might have cleared Torres of charges that he ordered the killing of a gang member who tried to extort money from him.

Evidence from those dismissed charges may have predisposed the jury to convict the founder of the Numero Uno grocery store chain on the lesser counts, according to the ruling. So Wilson granted Torres a new trial.

"The government should not enjoy the slightest benefit of any spillover from the dismissed counts to the remaining counts," Wilson ruled.

Defense attorney Steven Madison welcomed the judge's ruling Monday.

"We're grateful that the court granted the motion and we're looking forward to having a case go to its proper conclusions," he said.

Prosecutors could not be reached for comment.