Westlake Village Man Arraigned in Oil Lease Scam

Press Release Date:

March 16, 2010

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that Clinton Tod Harwell (DOB 10/1/58) of Westlake Village was arraigned on March 15, 2010, in the Ventura County Superior Court on one count of felony grand theft and a special allegation that he took more than $65,000. Harwell pleaded not guilty and denied the special allegation.

Harwell is alleged to have committed grand theft by using invalid oil and gas leases from Texas in order to obtain investments from unknowing Ventura County victims. If you have information regarding the defendant or are a potential victim in this case, please contact Detective Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 494-8231.

Harwell was arrested on February 25, 2010, in Waller County , Texas , on an arrest warrant issued by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kevin J. McGee. Harwell was extradited back to Ventura County on March 14, 2010, and was booked into the Ventura County jail. He is currently in custody with bail set at $100,000.

Contact:

Dominic Kardum, Deputy District Attorney
(805)662-1739