D4vd Accused of Hiding Assets as Attorney Challenges Public Defender Eligibility

An attorney for the family of Celeste Rivas Hernandez alleges D4vd concealed substantial assets despite being approved for publicly funded legal representation in his criminal case.

Patrick Steinfeld, who represents the 14-year-old’s family, is challenging that determination and accuses D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, of holding money through companies he controls and transferring property to his mother. The challenge follows Burke’s not guilty plea Monday and the transfer of his defense to the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office.

The Public Defender’s Office says Burke qualifies for its services. A spokesperson said the office conducted a comprehensive financial evaluation before determining that he met its eligibility requirements.

During Monday’s hearing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo asked Deputy Public Defender Walid Kandeel whether his office needed additional time to determine if Burke qualified for appointed counsel. Kandeel said the office was prepared to proceed and formally requested the appointment.

Steinfeld disputes that determination, pointing to Burke’s music career, business holdings and financial testimony from the preliminary hearing as evidence that he can afford private counsel.

Under California law, appointed counsel is available to criminal defendants who cannot afford private representation. Eligibility turns on a defendant’s financial ability to retain an attorney, including available income and assets.

During the preliminary hearing, Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman questioned Benjamin Greger, a former financial manager at Burke’s management company, Mogul Vision. Greger testified that Burke had gross earnings of roughly $10 million to $11.5 million from recording contracts, merchandise and music publishing deals.

Steinfeld has also cited Greger’s testimony about Texas properties held in Burke’s name. Silverman asked whether Greger remembered advising that the properties be transferred to Burke’s mother, Colleen Burke, to shield Burke’s estate from a potential civil lawsuit brought by Rivas Hernandez’s family. Greger testified that he remembered giving that advice.

Steinfeld argues that testimony raises questions about Burke’s current financial position and whether assets previously under his control should factor into his eligibility for publicly funded representation.

Burke had previously been represented by private attorneys Blair Berk and Marilyn Bednarski before his case was transferred to the Public Defender’s Office.

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from Rivas Hernandez’s death.

Prosecutors allege Burke sexually abused Rivas Hernandez for more than a year before killing her in April 2025 after she threatened to disclose the alleged abuse. They further allege that he dismembered her body and concealed her remains in the front trunk of his Tesla.

Olmedo ruled in July that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the criminal case to proceed to trial. The ruling did not determine Burke’s guilt. At a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must show enough evidence to establish probable cause for the charges to continue.

Members of Rivas Hernandez’s family attended the preliminary hearing but did not speak publicly during the proceedings.

The Public Defender’s Office remains Burke’s counsel of record and says he qualifies for its services as the criminal case moves toward trial.