Argyros Jr. Accused of Threats

Prosecutors have charged the son of Orange County mega-developer George L. Argyros with six misdemeanors for allegedly harassing and threatening to kill an estranged girlfriend, according to court records.

George L. Argyros Jr. allegedly made more than 100 telephone calls to the ex-girlfriend after she cut off their relationship, at one point threatening, “I’ll put your head in a mailbox,” according to Sheriff’s Department reports.

A judge has imposed a restraining order on Argyros, prohibiting him from calling his ex-girlfriend or visiting her Aliso Viejo home or her workplace. The district attorney’s office charged him with violating a court order, making a terrorist threat and making harassing telephone calls. A trial is scheduled for Sept. 19.

In court papers, Argyros, 35, denied threatening to injure the woman but conceded they had “an emotionally charged relationship.”

“If [she] wanted to stop contact, all she had to do was ask,” he wrote in a motion opposing the restraining order.

His lawyer, Ronald G. Brower, declined to discuss the case.

According to sheriff’s reports, the developer’s son started calling the woman in November and continued even after a deputy cautioned that he could be arrested if the calls continued. In January, the woman alleges, Argyros told her he would “come over to your house and bash your head in,” according to a sheriff’s report.

The woman changed her telephone number, but the calls continued, the reports state. The ex-girlfriend told sheriff’s deputies that she took the threats seriously, saying, “I’m afraid he will kill me.” She reported the alleged threats on at least six occasions to sheriff’s deputies, records show.

Prosecutors filed criminal charges against the developer’s son in May. He was notified of the charges by mail and was not required to post bail as long as he makes his court appearances.

The senior Argyros is a national player in the Republican Party and a key proponent of Orange County’s plan to build an airport on the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Argyros Sr. made his fortune in real estate development and burst onto the national scene in the 1980s when he purchased the Seattle Mariners baseball team and Air California airline company. He later sold them both at an estimated $40-million profit.

Argyros Sr. is also chairman of the board of Chapman University, where his son recently earned his law degree.

This is not the first time the younger Argyros has faced criminal charges. In 1997, he was prosecuted for misdemeanor assault after allegedly punching a neighbor he thought was driving too fast. According to court records, Argyros donated $1,500 to a victim assistance group, and the case was expunged from his record.

Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas assigned the latest case to a special unit that ordinarily handles prosecutions of public officials, celebrities and police officers. The same unit recently handled a case involving former NBA player Dennis Rodman.

If convicted of the criminal charges, Argyros could face up to four years in jail, said Tori Richards, a district attorney spokeswoman.