Authorities say the 43-year-old Van Nuys man was in court this week to show that the monkey was gone.
His proof: a photo of Cheeta beside a recently dated Mexican newspaper. Red, white and green decorations filled the background.
But Commissioner Thomas Grodin wasn't buying it and Grigorian eventually admitted that Cheeta was in downtown Los Angeles.
He's agreed to hand Cheeta over to Fish and Game officials.
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