SANTA PAULA : Former Resident Is Convicted of Fraud

A jury on Thursday convicted a former Santa Paula man of 36 criminal counts in connection with a series of fraudulent schemes that left a trail of victims across Ventura County and the state.

Although jurors heard testimony for more than six weeks, they took fewer than five hours to find 34-year-old Liam Patrick Russell guilty on each of 36 charges, including 28 grand theft counts.

Russell--who expected the jury to deliberate for at least several days, according to his attorney--appeared stunned as a court clerk read the 36 guilty verdicts individually.

“It was completely unexpected on both our parts,” defense attorney Jonathan J. Kissel said of the relatively short time of deliberation.

Many of the charges stem from Russell’s attempt to buy Ron’s RV Sales from Ron and Kathie Hauman of Moorpark in April, 1990. Prosecutors said Russell looted the business for more than $100,000 in cash and all of its inventory, but never finished paying off the loan for the business.

Russell was also convicted of writing a $250,000 check in July, 1991, for the purchase of a San Diego hospital. He never had more than $8,200 in the account on which the check was written, prosecutors said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. James Cloninger could not be reached after the verdicts. During the trial, he argued that Russell is a professional con artist who was able to cheat people because of his charm.

After the verdicts, Russell, who faces up to eight years in state prison when he is sentenced Jan. 10, was taken into custody.