Witness· Adelson Institute for Aesthetics

Erika Johnson

Longtime front-desk employee and assistant at the Adelson Institute for Aesthetics.

AppearedGarcia–Magbanua Magbanua Retrial Charlie Adelson Donna Adelson

455 lines·33 proceedings·21 mentions·4 trials

About

Johnson provides a recurring workplace-account perspective on Adelson Institute operations, Katherine Magbanua's connection to the office, records inquiries, and communications involving Charlie Adelson.

Erika Johnson was a former Adelson Institute front-desk employee, dental assistant, and assistant to Charlie Adelson. Her testimony concerned the office's staffing, payroll and cash practices, employee-record access, and Katherine Magbanua's connection to the practice. Johnson said she knew Magbanua as Charlie Adelson's girlfriend and as a patient, rather than from seeing her work at the office. She was connected to communications after law enforcement sought Magbanua-related employment or personnel records, including recorded calls involving Charlie Adelson. Her testimony also included limits on what she personally observed, particularly regarding possible Friday work, remote records access, and office activity when she was absent.

Trial Record (33)

GMGarcia–MagbanuaSep 26, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019Called by prosecution

On Day 5, Johnson described Adelson Institute operations and her response when investigators sought Katherine Magbanua's personnel records. Her testimony included a recorded call to Charlie Adelson, disputed police-report statements, and questioning about office records and cash practices.

Day 5

Oct 3, 2019

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoAnna NorrisMentioned

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute staffing and payroll practices and said Magbanua was known to her only as a patient.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Jury QuestionsClariza Lebredo - Juror Questions (Resumed)Clariza LebredoJames C. HankinsonMentioned

Summary

Lebredo said Erika might also check voice mail, though Lebredo usually checked it first.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectErika Johnson - DirectErika JohnsonAnna Norris3highlights148lines spoken

Summary

Erika Johnson described Adelson Institute operations and a recorded call with Charlie Adelson after law enforcement sought Katherine Magbanua's personnel records.

Highlights (3)

rulingThe court overruled objections and permitted the State to use the recorded call to refresh Johnson's recollection.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“I'm still not comfortable listening. I don't understand why I need to listen to it.”— Erika JohnsonJohnson expressed reluctance to hear the recording offered to refresh her recollection.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Um, I would -- um, I wouldn't give anything.”— Charlie AdelsonIn the recorded call, Charlie Adelson responded after Johnson reported that the FBI was seeking records for Katherine Magbanua.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CrossErika Johnson - CrossErika JohnsonSaam Zangeneh5lines spoken

Summary

Johnson agreed Harvey Adelson could have Adelson Institute calls forwarded to his cell phone.

CrossErika Johnson - CrossErika JohnsonChristopher DeCoste1highlight30lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said she was unsure whether Magbanua worked at the Adelson Institute and described remote record access and cash-payment discounts.

Highlights (1)

testimony highlightJohnson agreed she was not sure whether Katherine Magbanua was employed by the Adelson Institute.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RedirectErika Johnson - RedirectErika JohnsonAnna Norris2highlights9lines spoken

Summary

Johnson explained why she called Charlie Adelson about requested records as the court admitted and published State's Exhibit 180.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightJohnson explained that she called Charlie Adelson about the requested records because Magbanua was his girlfriend and she expected him to answer sooner than Dr. Adelson.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Because that's his girlfriend and I knew he would answer the phone faster than Dr. Adelson.”— Erika JohnsonJohnson explained why she contacted Charlie Adelson when records concerning Magbanua were sought.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RecrossErika Johnson - RecrossErika JohnsonChristopher DeCoste1highlight4lines spoken

Summary

Johnson agreed that subpoenaed records existed and were provided within 20 days.

Highlights (1)

admissionJohnson agreed that the requested records existed and had been provided within 20 days of the subpoena.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Jury QuestionsErika Johnson - Juror QuestionsErika JohnsonJames C. Hankinson1highlight1line spoken

Summary

The judge excused Erika Johnson and explained that a records subpoena does not provide immunity.

Highlights (1)

procedural actionThe judge determined that the juror's question about subpoenas and immunity was a legal question rather than one for Erika Johnson.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

ProceduraliCloud Evidence, Sequestration, and Wiretap RulingsMentioned

Summary

The court allowed defense use of iCloud-record material, ordered an inquiry into reported sequestration violations, and explained its earlier recording ruling.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

Oct 4, 2019

ProceduralGarcia Traffic Citation Richardson RulingMentioned

Summary

The court denied exclusion of Garcia's traffic citation after finding a discovery violation but no willful violation or prejudice.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectOscar Jimenez Jr. - DirectOscar Jimenez Jr.Georgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

FBI agent Oscar Jimenez Jr. authenticated recordings of a 2016 undercover contact with Donna Adelson and testified that Charles Adelson later called the covert number.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 8

Oct 8, 2019

RedirectPatrick Sanford - Redirect (Resumed)Patrick SanfordGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

Sanford addressed cash records and Magbanua's claimed employment; after a sidebar ruling, the court admitted a text-message exhibit.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

KMMagbanua RetrialMay 18, 2022 – May 27, 2022Called by prosecution

On Day 4, Johnson testified about Adelson Institute staffing, payroll practices, Magbanua's possible employment, and a recorded call to Charlie Adelson after agents sought employment records. Cross-examination addressed the limits of her observations and earlier uncertainty about whether Magbanua was an employee.

Day 4

May 23, 2022

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn DuganMentioned

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute operations and said Magbanua was a one-time dental patient, not someone she saw working there.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectErika Johnson - DirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan2highlights63lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said she never saw Magbanua work at the Adelson Institute and described its staffing, payroll, and a recorded 2016 call to Charlie Adelson after agents requested records.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightJohnson described her front-desk duties, cash-payment practices, and the office's staff and payroll structure, including Donna Adelson's role as office manager responsible for payroll.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

evidence eventJohnson testified that agents sought Katherine Magbanua employee records in 2016; she said she called Charlie Adelson and authenticated a recording of that call as accurate from her memory.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CrossErika Johnson - CrossErika JohnsonTara Kawass2highlights24lines spoken

Summary

Johnson acknowledged uncertainty in her earlier testimony about Katie's employment and limits on her knowledge of Adelson Institute check-writing.

Highlights (2)

impeachmentJohnson acknowledged that in her 2017 sworn testimony she was unsure whether Katie was an employee and that it was possible Katie worked only on Fridays.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightJohnson said she did not know how or to whom Donna Adelson wrote business checks and knew only about her own checks.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RedirectErika Johnson - RedirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan2highlights6lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said the Adelson Institute did not schedule patients on Fridays but qualified that she did not know what occurred there when she was absent.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightOn redirect, Johnson clarified that the Adelson Institute did not schedule patients on Fridays, while maintaining that she did not know what occurred when she was not present.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“Not when I'm not there. I'm there Monday through Thursday. I don't know what happens on Friday.”— Erika JohnsonJohnson qualified the scope of her knowledge while the prosecutor explored whether Magbanua could have worked on Fridays.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 5

May 24, 2022

ProceduralPre-Testimony Motions: Exhibit 100 Ruling and Crawford Challenge to Adelson WiretapsMentioned

Summary

The court admitted Exhibit 100 and denied the defense's Crawford challenge to Adelson wiretap calls.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralLunch Recess and Exhibit Preview — FBI Undercover Bump CallsMentioned

Summary

The court recessed for lunch, then deferred review of two proposed undercover-call exhibits pending receipt of the audio and later argument over their purpose and relevance.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CrossMary Hull - CrossMary HullChristopher DeCosteMentioned

Summary

Hull said her bank-record analysis could not identify cash sources; the court allowed Lexus-message questioning and admitted a defense bank-statement exhibit.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

RedirectMary Hull - RedirectMary HullSarah Kathryn DuganMentioned

Summary

Hull clarified revisions to her financial timeline and tax-record review; the court barred a proposed question about Donna Adelson's Fifth Amendment rights.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 1)Patrick SanfordGeorgia CapplemanMentioned25lines spoken

Summary

FBI agent Patrick Sanford described investigative follow-up, surveillance, and wiretap calls involving the Adelsons and Katherine Magbanua; the court admitted State's Exhibits 99 and 53.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

May 25, 2022

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 2)Patrick SanfordGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

Sanford described undercover recordings, the admitted letter used to prompt contact, and phone evidence; he testified that Magbanua had not called the undercover number and later used a burner phone.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

CACharlie AdelsonOct 26, 2023 – Nov 6, 2023Called by prosecution

On Day 3, Erika Johnson testified about Adelson Institute operations, Magbanua's connection to the office, and a June 2016 call to Charlie Adelson that was admitted as State's Exhibit 106.

Day 3

Oct 30, 2023

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn DuganMentioned

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute staffing and payroll practices and said she knew Magbanua only as a patient.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectErika Johnson - DirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan5highlights71lines spoken

Summary

Erika Johnson authenticated and the court admitted a 2016 call to Charlie Adelson about law enforcement's request for records concerning Katherine Magbanua.

Highlights (5)

evidence eventJohnson authenticated a recording of her June 2016 call to Charlie Adelson after law enforcement requested records concerning Katherine Magbanua; the court admitted and published State's Exhibit 106 without objection.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightJohnson testified that Katherine Magbanua was a patient and Charlie Adelson's girlfriend, and that she had never seen Magbanua work at the office.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Quote“She was a patient at the office and his girlfriend.”— Erika JohnsonJohnson described Katherine Magbanua's connection to the office and to Charlie Adelson.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightJohnson testified that payroll was handled by Donna Adelson and that she was unaware of employees who worked exclusively by phone or remotely.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Show all 5 highlights

Quote“No. You know I'm going to do whatever you Say.”— Erika JohnsonIn the admitted recording, Johnson indicated she would follow Charlie Adelson's direction while law enforcement waited for a response about records.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

CrossErika Johnson - CrossErika JohnsonDan Rashbaum1highlight17lines spoken

Summary

Johnson said Charlie Adelson did not own the office and that she continued working with him until his arrest.

Highlights (1)

rulingThe court sustained a relevance objection to whether Johnson worried about continuing to work with Charlie Adelson and instructed the jury to disregard her answer.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

RedirectErika Johnson - RedirectErika JohnsonSarah Kathryn Dugan2highlights5lines spoken

Summary

Johnson confirmed Charlie Adelson's dental work and said she did not remember details of a landline callback.

Highlights (2)

testimony highlightJohnson confirmed that Charlie Adelson worked as a dentist at the family dental practice and as a traveling periodontist.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

testimony highlightJohnson said she did not remember what happened when Charlie Adelson called her back on the landline.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 5

Nov 1, 2023

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Recall, Continued)Patrick SanfordGeorgia CapplemanMentioned11lines spoken

Summary

Sanford continued explaining undercover recordings and call sequences; the court admitted key exhibits, addressed a foundation objection, and replayed audio to clarify a disputed reference.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 6

Nov 2, 2023

DirectCharlie Adelson - Direct (Part 1)Charlie AdelsonDan RashbaumMentioned

Summary

Charlie Adelson denied arranging Dan Markel's death and testified about family relocation disputes, cash, and his relationship with Katherine Magbanua.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ProceduralPartial Admission of Composite Text Exhibit; Direct Examination SchedulingMentioned

Summary

The court partially admitted defense text messages, excluded the remainder, and warned the gallery against reacting during testimony.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DirectCharlie Adelson - Direct (Part 5)Charlie AdelsonDan RashbaumMentioned

Summary

Charlie Adelson said he viewed the threatening calls and letter as a claimed extortion, not evidence of involvement in Dan Markel's murder.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 8

Nov 6, 2023

RebuttalRebuttal Closing - Georgia CapplemanGeorgia CapplemanMentioned

Summary

The State rebutted the defense's extortion and reasonable-doubt arguments, urged jurors to evaluate the evidence and credibility, and requested guilty verdicts.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DADonna AdelsonAug 22, 2025 – Sep 4, 2025

Office testimony and a recorded Day 5 office call linked Erika Johnson, Charlie Adelson's assistant, to the Adelson Institute communications presented at trial.

Day 3

Aug 26, 2025

DirectClariza Lebredo - DirectClariza LebredoSarah Kathryn Dugan1highlightMentioned

Summary

Lebredo described Adelson Institute operations, said Magbanua was a patient rather than an employee, and identified voices on State's 100.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Highlights (1)

evidence eventLebredo identified Erika Johnson and Charlie Adelson as the voices on State's 100; the State said it was laying foundation and would seek admission through another witness later.Open in transcript →Watch this moment ▶

Day 5

Aug 28, 2025

DirectPatrick Sanford - Direct (Part 2)Patrick SanfordGeorgia CapplemanMentioned36lines spoken

Summary

Sanford presented wiretap and undercover-operation recordings, including the bump contacts and later calls among the Adelsons, Magbanua, and Garcia.

Mentioned in this proceeding.