Condo Manager Accused of Embezzlement

The owner of a property management company was arraigned Thursday on charges of embezzling $1.4 million from a Calabasas condominium association, whose residents grew suspicious after noticing a steady decline in the quality of their landscaping.

Spencer John Gobus, 46, who pleaded not guilty to three felony counts in Los Angeles Municipal Court, is accused of stealing the money from the Oak Park Calabasas account from Feb. 1, 1985, to July 31, 1993.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Allan C. Fork said Gobus was operating a Westwood company that had been hired by the condominium association to manage the 268-unit complex. “He had access to their accounts and diverted money to his own account,” Fork said.

In addition to the embezzlement charges, Gobus also is accused of forging the signature of an association board member on a check and altering another check.

Fork said residents launched an investigation and hired an accountant to examine their books after the building became shabby.

“It was obvious to the accountant early on that there were very serious problems,” Fork said.

Lynne Cohen, a member of the condominium association’s board,, said the accountant quickly discovered that no income tax statements had been filed on behalf of the association over the last 10 years.

“The property was in a state of disarray,” Cohen said. “We couldn’t imagine where the homeowners fees were going.”

Gobus was arrested Tuesday after an eight-month investigation, Officer David Crew said. He faces two counts of forgery and one of grand theft by embezzlement with the special allegation that he stole more than $1 million. He was being held Thursday in lieu of $1.4-million bail.

An attorney representing Gobus could not be reached for comment.