Restaurateur Takes Stand in Valet’s Trial : Courts: Larry Cano says he never gave unlimited bank account access to the man accused of stealing $400,000 from him.

Larry J. Cano, founder of the El Torito restaurant empire, testified Tuesday that he never gave unlimited bank account access to his longtime valet, who is accused of stealing more than $400,000 from the Newport Beach millionaire.

Cano took the witness stand as trial got underway for former valet Clarence R. Wheeler, 39, who is charged with eight felony counts of credit card fraud, tax evasion and grand theft.

Cano told jurors that Wheeler frequently accompanied him to sunny beaches in the south of France and on ski trips to Aspen.

He talked about a lavish lifestyle, including the thousands in spending money he would take from the bank in a single transaction, his fondness for fresh floral arrangements, and expensive meals and drinks with friends and family.

Cano told jurors he would pay when Wheeler accompanied Cano’s ex-wife or other companions to lunch, dinner or on trips.

Wheeler’s defense attorney, Scott Well, contends that Cano gave his personal assistant a free spending hand, and is now seeking to blame Wheeler for the millionaire’s poor financial situation, which soured after he sold the El Torito concept for $18 million. Two of Cano’s businesses recently filed bankruptcy actions.

“Prosecutors are portraying this as a rags-to-riches-to-rags story,” Well said outside of court, adding that his client was a dedicated employee who did nothing wrong. “There are a lot of sour grapes going on here.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Joe D’Agostino declined to discuss the case while the trial is continuing.

Cano told jurors that the trusted employee had unspecified--but not unlimited--access to his financial accounts. There were no spending limits beyond reason, he said.

“I had no reason to mistrust,” Cano testified. “It seemed reasonable, what was being spent.”

Cano, who has also filed a civil suit against Wheeler, has stated in civil court records that he never allowed Wheeler power of attorney to transfer money from Cano’s account and to write checks.

In court Tuesday, Cano said he did not recall knowingly signing any power-of-attorney documents, and said that he never specified limits on Wheeler’s use of the financial accounts.

Cano’s testimony resumes today before Superior Court Judge Robert Fitzgerald.