VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced today that Brian Andrew Hynes (DOB 06/12/80), of Thousand Oaks, was convicted by a jury of one count of felony grand theft after spending money meant for the Oak Heart County Music Festival. Hynes, the principal owner of the Borderline Bar & Grill, partnered with Westlake Rotary to put on the annual charity music festival in 2020. The festival was canceled due to COVID. Hynes proceeded to misappropriate the refunded deposit for musical acts in the amount of $43,750.
Instead of returning the money to Westlake Rotary and ticket holders, Hynes directed the funds to be placed into a general business bank account that he controlled. He went on to spend the festival money on his unrelated business and personal expenses.
“Facing difficult financial circumstances, Mr. Hynes decided to misappropriate venture money,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Leventhal, who prosecuted the case. “Rather than mitigating his crime by taking responsibility, he instead put his former Rotary colleagues and business partner and employees through the ordeal of an emotionally draining trial. I am grateful to the jury for the patience and dedication they showed in hearing the evidence and rendering their verdict.”
Hynes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 48 of the Ventura County Superior Court.