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Newport Beach man accused of stealing $2.7 million in wine

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A Newport Beach man who had a nose for the most coveted wines could wind up spending 16 years in prison after being accused of stealing $2.7 million worth of vintage vino.

George Osumi, 64, faces six felony charges related to stealing bottles of collectible wine from clients who paid to store them in his temperature-controlled facility in Irvine.

Osumi, who operates Legend Cellars Inc., is accused of breaking into lockers starting in 2008 and replacing the good stuff with bottles of cheaper wine.

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Prosecutors said Osumi then hired a friend — who was unaware the wine was stolen — to auction some of it off. Later, Osumi allegedly auctioned more of the bottles himself. In all, authorities say he pocketed nearly $600,000.

Osumi is being held on $4-million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Orange County Superior Court.

Osumi has also been charged with tax and insurance fraud in a separate case.

mike.anton@latimes.com

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