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Crime & Safety

Update: Morris Gussin's Preliminary Hearing Underway

South Pasadena Detective William Earley will testify on behalf of Gussin's 10 alleged victims.

After a three-week hiatus, the preliminary hearing for Morris Gussin—a former South Pasadena resident  on 20 felony counts of grand theft and security violations last year—will resume at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center June 27.

Residing in South Pasadena from 2004 to 2008, Gussin operated his own insurance, security and public accounting firm. Officials allege he stole more than $3.4 million in a Ponzi scheme where he falsely led his clients to believe he was investing their money.

Five of Gussin’s alleged victims, who were all from Los Angeles County and part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division investigation, testified during a hearing June 2. 

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Gussin has agreed to a non-continuous preliminary hearing set to resume June 27 when Judge Samuel Mayerson returns from a three-week vacation. South Pasadena Detective William Earley will testify on behalf of Gussin’s 10 alleged victims from the Pasadena area. 

“Instead of having all 10 Pasadena area victims on hand for the hearing, I will be testifying on their behalf,” said Detective Earley. “These are all the victims I personally investigated.”

Find out what's happening in South Pasadenawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the end of the hearing, the judge will decide if there is enough evidence for a trial. If there is deemed to be enough evidence, Gussin can choose from a jury or court trial.

On April 27, , which would have resulted in a maximum of nine years in prison. He is currently being held at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles. The preliminary hearing will resume at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in court room No. 44. 

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