Ex Sheriff Carona’s Crony Freddie Glusman Arrested

By Michael Webster: Investigative Reporter June 11, 2008 11:00 AM PDT

An Orange County former sheriff's reserves volunteer, and major campaign donor to Ex Sheriff Mike Carona, has been arrested for beating up a waitress who worked for him at the Ritz Restaurant in Newport Beach California. Public information officer Sgt. Evan Sailor said, "a police report indicates that Fred Glusman owner of The Ritz restaurant in Newport Beach was charged with “Battery with intent to cause great bodily injury". The victim Jennifer Kenney age 30, was treated at Hoag hospital ER for treatment for a tooth having been knocked out, bloody nose and other multiple cuts and bruises. Glusman was arrested and taken to the Newport Beach Police Dept. and was later transferred to Orange County Jail where he was able to post bail in the amount of $25,000. The arresting officers said in the report that Glusman had "symptoms of alcohol". The entire matter is being investigated by New Port Beach Police Det. Joe Cartwrite

Kenney has since also filed a civil complaint against Glusman and has an temporary restraining order against him.

Glusman resigned amid allegations that he flashed his badge during a July 4 dispute over a parking space, dealing another blow to the department's embattled reserves program.

At that time Glusman, was forced to surrender his badge. And an internal investigation was started by the then Sheriff Mike Carona, but had not been concluded, said department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Glusman, who owns restaurants and homes in Las Vegas and Newport Beach, donated the maximum $1,500 through his business to Carona's re-election bid and hosted a fundraiser at The Ritz marking the sheriff's 50th birthday.

Glusman's resignation was preceded by the August arrest of a reserve deputy who drew his gun during a golf dispute. The off-duty reserve deputy, Raymond Yi, also served as Carona's martial arts instructor. Mr. Yi was recently convicted for that conduct.

Besides the arrests, convictions, misconduct and other allegations, the sheriff was embroiled in a long dispute with the California Commission on Police Standards and Training over 86 reserves who the state contended had not received proper training and background checks. The checks and training are now being done under a recent settlement accordi9ng to the Sheriff's Dept.

Carona at the time said the problems with Yi and Glusman shouldn't reflect poorly on him, the department or the reserves. Despite their personal or political relationship to Carona, Yi and Glusman earned the right to carry department badges, through training and background checks, he said.

"There are no badges or guns given to contributors. If you find one, I'll make sure I personally walk out the door," Carona said. "These are volunteers. We give badges as a form of identification. I don't give anything; you have to earn it." However Excerpts of the undercover transcripts made by former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl and that were made public recently indicated that the then Sheriff Carona was willing to trade badges for cash.

Excerpts of the transcripts were made public in a motion filed by Carona’s defense attorneys, who are trying to keep a jury from hearing certain “unfortunate” remarks. They argue the comments are “irrelevant,” not criminal in nature, and likely to offend a jury. Allowing them at trial, they contend, would result in unfair prejudice to Carona.

Carona uses the “n” word several times and discusses various sexual escapades as he talks to former Assistant Sheriff Don Haidl, who was wired and cooperating with federal authorities in a corruption investigation of Carona.

Carona added that sometimes deputies and volunteers "screw up."

Glusman belonged to the lowest rung of the reserve ladder, the professional services reserves, who do not carry guns or go on patrol, but make themselves available in their fields of expertise.

The "badging" incident involved a hard-to-find parking spot during a Fourth of July outside a coffee shop at Island and West Balboa, according to Newport Beach police Sgt. Bill Hartford. The shop owner flagged a traffic-control officer to complain that Glusman had parked in a customer-only spot. Hartford said Glusman showed a badge, which the shop owner took.

"Words were exchanged. Some were unpleasant," Hartford said.

A patrol officer arrived, gave the badge back to Glusman and instructed him that he could not park on private property.

No report was taken, but Hartford said he pieced together the incident after talking with the officers involved.

Sheriff's officials said a written complaint was received by their department and an internal probe was immediately launched.

Depicted above is Vegas and Newport restaurateur Freddie Glusman         Photo from Inside Las Vegas  

Steve Miller who writes internationally syndicated columns on organized crime and political corruption for Rick Porrello's AmericanMafia.com reported a number of Vegas casino barons and their mob cronies have infested Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, California.  The neuvo riche transplants are causing quite a stir in conservative Orange County.

Old California money shuns Vegas "neuvo riche"
Beware of newcomers bearing gifts

INSIDE VEGAS by Steve Miller
AmericanMafia.com
December 5, 2005

NEWPORT BEACH, CA.- For the past decade, a group of Las Vegas movers and shakers have lived part time in lavish beach homes in Laguna Beach and Newport Beach, California. Those residing in the private enclaves comprise a list of colorful expatriates who need complete privacy to conduct their business affairs, especially those dealing with their Sin City fortunes, and the lives of those who live in Las Vegas full time.

Sheriff's donor resigns from reserve http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=print
Byline: TONY SAAVEDRA and CHRIS KNAP   
Ritz restaurateur accused of showing badge in Newport parking dispute. November 11,

The Laguna Journal tried to reach Mr. Glusman but was told by Lorie who answered his phone at the Newport restaurant that Mr. Glusman was out of town. It is believed that Mr. Glusman is in Las Vegas.