SALEM, Mass. — Socrates De La Cruz, a well-known local lawyer charged with auto insurance fraud, stood on the steps of Salem Superior Court today proclaiming his innocence and said he's placing his faith "in truth and God."

"After a jury hears the case, I know I'll be exonerated," De La Cruz said.

De La Cruz, 34, of Methuen is accused of knowingly employing "runners" to recruit phony victims in staged accidents in order to collect cash from insurance companies.

The 1991 National Youth of the Year for the Boys and Girls Club was defended in court today by his lawyer, Hank Brennan, who said there was no basis for the charges.

Also there in support of De La Cruz was his brother Otto De La Cruz, who carried a Bible, and friend Gary Zerola, an attorney.

Zerola, one of People magazine's most eligible bachelors of 2001, stands accused of rape in Miami, Fla. He's been found not guilty in Massachusetts in two cases involving similiar charges. He is a former Suffolk County prosecutor.

De La Cruz faces numerous charges, including five counts of motor vehicle insurance fraud, five counts of larceny over $250, four counts of attempted larceny over $250, four counts of conspiracy to commit motor vehicle insurance fraud, and four counts of conspirary to commit larceny.

At arraignment today, De La Cruz pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. As a condition of release, Judge David A. Lowy ordered De La Cruz to surrender his passport.

For more on this story, please see tomorrow's The Eagle-Tribune.