County Files Second Case Against Disbarred Moorpark Attorney

Ventura County District Attorney Gregory Totten announced Thursday that his office has filed a criminal case against disbarred attorney Russell Takasugi of Moorpark.

Takasugi—who, in October, was found guilty of 34 felony charges of elder fraud, grand theft, money laundering, perjery and filing false instruments—is now facing additional charges of grand theft, forgery and money laundering as a result of a continuing Simi Valley Police Department investigation, according to a statement issued by the DA's office.

The statement said Takasugi, who practiced law in Simi Valley, continued to operate a client's personal accounts after she died, spending her assets without probating her estate or accounting to anyone.

The attorney had obtained durable power of attorney over the affairs of Hazel McVey in 1995. Later, from 2004 to 2008, he allegedly forged her signature, laundered the proceeds through accounts he controlled and spent her money to benefit himself and his family; however, McVey died in Chatsworth in 2002, according to the District Attorney's statement.

Takasugi was remanded with no bail on his earlier case, on which he's awaiting sentencing, and on $50,000 bail on the latest case, the report said. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 5.

Takasugi is the son of the late former state assembly member and Oxnard mayor Nao Takasugi.