A federal judge has implemented more restrictive bond conditions for a North Hills real estate broker being investigated for possibly ripping off dozens of customers.

James C. Platts, who is charged in federal court with five counts of tax evasion, failed to appear last week for a hearing in which his attorney, Patrick Thomassey, had asked to be removed from the case.

Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Platts, who turned himself in Thursday.

In court, Judge Ambrose ordered that Mr. Platts, who was operating Easy Realty Solutions, post a $10,000 cash bond and be subject to electronic monitoring pending trial.

His case was supposed to go to trial Dec. 10, but Mr. Platts' new attorney, Steven C. Townsend, asked for a 90-day continuance, which Judge Ambrose granted.

On Tuesday, an Allegheny County judge froze Mr. Platts' assets as part of an ongoing investigation by the state attorney general's office.