A man being arrested, illustrative. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The heir to one of California’s largest raisin companies is facing three felony hate crime charges for allegedly threatening to kill his neighbor, who is a rabbi, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday.

On June 5, Bruce Lion, 64, allegedly stood on the balcony of his Pacific Palisades home and shouted antisemitic threats to his next-door neighbor, Rabbi Zushe Cunin, as the latter was leading a Friday night Shabbat prayer service. Cunin is the executive director of the Chabad Jewish Community Center of Pacific Palisades. Lion is the heir of the Selma-based company Lion Raisins.

Lion was arrested on June 13 and charged with one count of violation of civil rights and two counts of criminal threats. His arraignment hearing was postponed twice this week after authorities said he refused to leave his LA County jail cell. As a result, a judge ordered that Lion should be forcibly brought to court, and he is expected to be arraigned on Friday. The court set bail at $225,000. If convicted as charged, Lion faces up to nine years and four months in state prison.

“Hate has no place in Los Angeles County. My office is aggressively prosecuting these disturbing acts that tear at the fabric of our society,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Los Angeles County is experiencing an alarming increase in hate crimes, with record-high antisemitic offenses and unprecedented levels of crimes targeting individuals based on their religion, race, nationality, gender, or sexual orientation. Our county is home to hundreds of cultures and traditions, and we will prosecute any crime motivated by prejudice against them.”

Cunin said Lion has been making antisemitic comments for about months, according to ABC30 Action News. “Racial slurs, intimidation, terror, and horror towards myself, and my family, and community,” the rabbi told the publication.

A recent video additionally shared on social media shows Lion outside a Los Angeles Chabad center while going on an antisemitic tirade, targeting the local Jewish community and also saying, “The Jews burn it down to rebuild it … can you believe that s–t?”

Lion Raisins issued a statement late Wednesday addressing Lion’s alleged antisemitic threats.

“Recent reports about the conduct of Bruce Lion are deeply troubling and do not reflect the values of Lion Raisins. Bruce Lion does not actively participate in the company’s day-to-day operations,” the company stated. “Lion Raisins recognizes the concern these reports have generated and extends our unwavering support to those who may have been affected by these reported remarks. We remain committed to fostering understanding and respect among all communities and to ethical conduct, mutual respect, and responsible corporate citizenship.”

In 2019, Lion was sentenced to two years on probation for making criminal threats and illegal gun possession, according to ABC30 Action News. In 2023, Lion was arrested after being accused of throwing rocks at cars and assaulting construction workers.