July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Widow of Santa Monica Judge Awarded $1.2 Million in Lawsuit

140253215The widow of a longtime Santa Monica judge, who maintained she was defrauded in real estate investments she made on behalf of herself and her late husband, was awarded nearly $1.2 million in a lawsuit against two businessmen and several companies.

Attorneys for Ruth Light said their 81-year-old client relied on Charles Hasbun to make safe investments for her and her spouse, Superior Court Judge Leslie Light, beginning in about 2000. The judge retired in 2002 after 33 years on the bench and died in March 2010.

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury on Monday found Hasbun jointly liable for $1.18 million along with his former broker, Gregory Abeson, and the various entities, including Baypoint Mortgage, Inc., and Valley Trust Deed Services.

Abeson previously surrendered his license, Light’s attorneys said.

The defense maintained that Hasbun disclosed the risks of the investments to Light; that only a handful of loans did not turn out as she anticipated; and that her income was affected by the real estate market crash and the recession.

It was the second time Light’s case had gone before a jury, following a mistrial last summer.

According to her lawyers, Hasbun used Baypoint Mortgage to sell and solicit loans and Valley Trust Deed Services to service the loans.

Light made about 30 to 40 loan transactions with Hasbun and his brother, Saleh Hasbun, over the course of about a decade involving first trust deeds and construction lending, her attorneys said. Judge Yvette Palazuelos dismissed all allegations against Saleh Hasbun before the case went to the jury.

In one transaction made by Light, she was told a $55,000 investment would help a borrower perform improvements at a Bellflower home, but the funds were distributed to the man without ensuring that any of the construction took place, her lawyers maintained.

Although Hasbun assured Light that construction was nearly complete, the improvements were actually never made, according to her lawyers.

Hasbun also granted subordinate deeds of trust to borrowers on loans in which Light and other clients had invested. When borrowers defaulted, the brothers foreclosed on the subordinate deeds rather than the first trust deeds, negatively affecting the investments of clients such as Light, her lawyers said.

The State Dept. of Real Estate conducted an audit and eventually stripped Baypoint and Valley Trust Deeds of their licenses, Light’s attorneys said.

A month after Light sued in December 2011, Hasbun began using the services of another broker, her lawyers said. In addition, they said, some assets of the companies were transferred via checks to Hasbun’s two daughters.

Light testified she typically invested about $20,000 in each loan transaction and that she expected interest returns on the investments of 9 to 12 percent.

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...