Tag: Los Angeles Sheriff Department

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, June 13, Bruce Lion, 64, an heir to the Lions Raisin company based in Selma, CA, was arrested for allegedly threatening one of his neighbors, Rabbi Zushe Cunin, after allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks directed at the Rabbi and his Orthodox Jewish outreach organization, the Chabad of the Palisades.

Videos of Lion making the alleged remarks were published by the New York Post and its California-based affiliate, the California Post. Two insults included Lion claiming the Rabbi was hiding bodies at his home and threatening to pull the Rabbi’s nose, while standing on the balcony of his property, wearing minimal clothing. Lion also insulted the Rabbi’s weight, and a claim was made that the Rabbi killed Jesus Christ.

Cunin claims the remarks disrupted services and they have occurred since the heir to the Raisin company purchased the mansion in March 2026.  Lion denies making some of the remarks and claims individuals associated with the Chabad were responsible for the disputes.

On June 12, Rabbi Cunin called the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  Lion was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats and is being held on $50,000 bail.  The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information has been released.

In 2019, Lion was sentenced by Fresno County Superior Court Judge Michael Idiarto to 2 years, with time already served in jail, for making a criminal threat and illegal possession of a gun, despite previously being legally barred from gun ownership by the court.

Four years later, in September 2023, he was arrested by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department after allegedly throwing rocks at vehicles in Monterey County, assaulting construction workers, and using debris to block the highway.  He was booked on a range of charges, including vandalism, assault, assault with a weapon other than a firearm, and false imprisonment.

Later that year, he was arrested again at the residence of his ex-wife on North Van Ness Boulevard, after it was alleged, he violated a restraining order.

In 2025, the Department of Agriculture sued the Lion Raisin company, alleging that it violated the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act after a collision on February 23, 2024.

The driver of a vehicle transporting a group of migrant workers to Lion Farm was killed, along with seven of the workers, in a collision with another vehicle.  The case was settled in 2026, and the company was ordered to pay past wages and civil penalties.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, May 12, businessman Stephen J. Cloobec, who founded the timeshare company Diamond Resorts International and was a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Governor of California, surrendered to the LASD West Hollywood Station. He was released on May 13 on a $300,000 bail.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office charged him in April 2026 with several felony counts, including one count of making annoying phone calls and three counts of attempting to dissuade witnesses, allegedly to hinder testimony against the influencer Adva Lavie, also known as Mia Ventura.

If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison. The investigation into Cloobec was conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station.

Lavie has been accused of using dating apps to connect with older, wealthier men in Southern California, then seducing them and stealing from them. She faces six felony charges, including two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information, two counts of grand theft, and two counts of first-degree residential burglary. Her trial is upcoming.

If convicted, she could spend up to 11 years and 8 months in a California prison. Cloobec was romantically involved with Lavie, and was engaged to her but the exact nature of their relationship is unclear. He was previously married to Chantal Leduc, a Canadian model, until they divorced in 2018.

In 2020, Cloobec was briefly involved with OnlyFans star Stefanie Gurzanski. After they broke up, he sued her, alleging she defrauded him by falsely claiming to be a model and a con artist. He claimed he was unaware she was an OnlyFans model or that she was shooting in their residence while they were together. He tried to return expensive gifts he purchased her during their relationship. Gurzanski obtained a restraining order against him.

In November 2025, Cloobec announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination for the 2026 California gubernatorial election. By the end of that month, he dropped out of the race and announced he would support former Congressman Eric Salwell. Cloobec later withdrew his support after Salwell was accused of sexual misconduct.

By Daniel Diquinzio