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high-stakes civil lawsuit filed by Albert Bushala, brother of prominent Fullerton developer and donor Tony Bushala, alleges a sprawling family dispute involving $400 million in real estate assets. The complaint, filed in Orange County Superior Court on October 2, 2024, accuses Tony, his brother George, sister Salma, and other family members of looting tens of millions of dollars from a family-run empire they built together over 40 years.
The lawsuit claims that the defendants manipulated and pressured their elderly father, George Bushala Sr., to conceal asset transfers, ultimately excluding Albert from the wealth he helped build. The complaint describes an elaborate pattern of property stripping, freezing Albert out, and funneling money into trusts and LLCs controlled by Salma and her allies.
One of the most serious allegations centers around the alleged isolation of their father, who is now 97 years old. In a declaration filed alongside the lawsuit, Albert recounts a disturbing phone call from his father in early 2024, during which George Sr. allegedly whispered about being confined to the house without access to a cell phone.
The lawsuit also accuses the defendants of transferring ownership of high-value properties without Albert's knowledge, including a $23 million Hollywood retail property and multiple Las Vegas condos. Even the family home was deeded to Salma and her husband Harold, who began charging their parents $10,000 a month to remain in it.
Many of the properties listed in the lawsuit are located in Fullerton and have appeared on recent City Council agendas. The Bushala family's network of business entities is central to the case, with some entities having confirmed city relationships or being tied to lease discussions.
The complaint seeks a full accounting of the family's real estate holdings and court oversight. Albert is seeking over $133 million in compensatory damages, treble damages under the penal code, and legal recognition of the decades-long family partnership. The case remains pending in Orange County Superior Court (Case No. 30-2024-01430906-CU-NP-CJC).
