Russell Takasugi pleads no contest to embezzlement

Simi Valley attorney Russell Takasugi pleaded no contest Wednesday to all 34 counts in a case accusing him of embezzling more than $500,000 from a client's estate.

A plea of no contest requires the judge to find Takasugi, 57, guilty at his sentencing, which is set for Dec. 9.

The maximum sentence he can receive is five years. Prosecutors wanted eight years, but the judge found it significant that Takasugi repaid the money before criminal charges were filed.

Takasugi has argued that he loaned himself money from the estate of Oscar Muro, who died in August 2007 from pancreatic cancer at age 71.

Bank records filed with probate court show he spent much of the money on restaurants, vacations, shopping, a BMW and family members.

If you have been charged with embezzlement, either at the state or federal level, there are some things you need to know about your criminal defense. The prosecutor's primary objective is to seek restitution for the victim, and not necessarily to throw you in jail. Ventura County Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Helfend has with more than 20 years of experience and understands that embezzlement, fraud and all other white collar crimes are serious charges.

If overzealous state or federal prosecutors are trying to put you behind bars for embezzlement, contact the law office of Robert Helfend.