I don’t generally write about this sort of sordid family drama, but as you’ll see, I have to.
Albert, the 4th & youngest of Fullerton’s Bushala siblings, is disgruntled. Especially at his big sister Salma, the oldest of the bunch, and the only female. Salma, married with five kids, runs the Santa Fe Express Cafe at the Fullerton Train Station. (I recommend their breakfast burrito!)The Cafe is leased from the city of Fullerton by her other two brothers, George Jr and Tony, as “Bushala Brothers, Inc.” Albert’s biggest gripe is that Salma shouldn’t be in their elderly parents’ estate plan, because she didn’t do any of the work the three boys did in the 80s and 90s building up the Bushala empire.
Wait, has Albert been dispossessed, left out of the will, are he and his wife and kids impoverished? Hell no, he is better off than the rest of the family, and he got paid for all the work he did decades ago, and invested wisely. (I’m told he had a falling out with his two brothers, they tell me they did all the work, but I wasn’t there so I don’t know, he did get paid for everything and is quite wealthy, just not as wealthy as he wants to be. And he doesn’t think Salma deserves anything.)
Tony (whom most of you know as he’s very involved in politics) tells me a couple of years ago Albert ordered him and George Jr. to “PICK A SIDE!” “You’re with me or you’re with Salma!” “If you’re not with me I’ll make your life miserable with lawsuits and legal fees!” They stood with their sister. And Albert made good on his word last October as he sued all three siblings, Salma’s husband, AND HIS ELDERLY PARENTS THEMSELVES (George Sr, 98, and Sylvia, 89) for hundreds of millions of dollars of money he thinks should be his.
Again, apologies. I don’t usually write about stuff like this, but you’ll see how I had to, if you keep reading.
The Comic Aspect of Albert’s Lawsuit
I got a laugh from the first few pages of the lawsuit, before it became SO tedious with its descriptions of SO many business decisions Albert got left out of over the last few decades when he wasn’t around. Because the first few pages is where Albert explains to us how things work in Lebanese culture. He LEBsplains. In Lebanese culture, supposedly, an oral agreement, no matter how many decades ago, is sacrosanct. Even if it is contradicted by numerous WRITTEN agreements. In fact “reducing agreements among family members to writing is considered insulting because it indicates lack of trust and respect.” I was almost expecting him to say “In the Old Country we settle such matters with duel by SCIMITAR!”
Good luck LEBsplaining that to an AMERICAN judge, Albert, in an American courtroom. Whether that is true, about Lebanon and written agreements, or not, I did hear that in Lebanon if you sue your own parents you forfeit any inheritance. But enough about Lebanon.
Back to Fullerton
So this nuisance lawsuit was filed last October (and is dragging on) but SUDDENLY a month ago the Fullerton Observer decided it was very important for the public to know all about it! So they printed a two-part article about it by one Elijah Manassero, on July 8 and July 10. Manassero (while prudently cautioning “these are only allegations”) rehashed all Albert’s allegations, going the extra mile to get extra disturbing details that weren’t even in the suit, and did NOT attempt to contact any of the defendants. (He must have been in touch with Albert though.)
If you’re new to Fullerton, know this: Tony Bushala is very active in local politics, having helped elect three of the five current councilmembers. And the Fullerton Observer, a liberal-ish outlet run by the Kennedy family, seems to oppose all things Bushala. Not that he’s any kind of right-winger. To them he’s some all-powerful antichrist of Fullerton. (By the way they always refer to him as a developer whereas what he and George Jr does is mostly property management and historic restoration.) And Manassero himself is regularly seen at Fullerton Council meetings, opposing Bushala and his ideas.
So it seemed NOT A COINCIDENCE when these articles were released, and promoted prolifically all across social media, less than a week before a July 15 Council vote very important to Tony, and very controversial to others for reasons that are unclear – whether to let him lease an unused loading dock at the train station, adjacent to where he already intends to build a brewery. The “Freight House Brewery.” Let’s take a quick look at what Tony wants to do at the station (close to his sister’s cafe)
What now looks like this:
Will look like this (the loading dock to the left will become restrooms for the brewery.)
SO. The July Observer article about the stupid October lawsuit was written, propagated and used in an attempt to make the Bushala family look unstable and unreliable, so, not the best choice for the City to do business with – this was driven home in a few sentences of the article, in comments put on it by Sharon Kennedy, and in remarks from anti-Bushala Councilman Ahmad Zahra. Better put off this vote till all the court proceedings are finished, they cried out – this property could end up in Albert’s hands or at least in litigation!
Bullshit, Fullerton has been doing business with the dependable Bushalas for 50, 60 years, and the lease passed 3-2. (The two dissenting councilmembers wanted to put the dock up to bid – big waste of time, nobody wants that or has plans for it. Anything to poke the Bushalas in the eye.)
DAMAGE
The reckless accusations hurled in Albert’s lawsuit, against Salma in particular, and amplified by The Observer, are very damaging and unfortunate. It makes her sound like a scheming bitch, and elder-abuser of her parents, keeping them imprisoned in a desert mansion and siphoning off all their money, manipulating her brothers, playing everyone off one another, yada yada yada.
Manassero paraphrases an incident last February related in Albert’s suit, at the parents’ desert home:
A month later, when Albert and his wife attempted to visit, they were blocked at the private community’s security gate and listed as “Code Red.” According to court filings, they had to call the sheriff to conduct a wellness check just to gain entry. The visit ended in a confrontation, during which George Jr. allegedly burst into the house screaming at Albert and threatening violence; an incident that Albert’s wife partially filmed and submitted as evidence in the case.
Here’s how I heard that actually went down. (Again I wasn’t there.) Tony and George Jr were “up in the desert” at their parents‘ home (I know he goes there frequently.) Albert and his wife decided it’d be a good time to make a surprise visit. Albert is forbidden by his mother Sylvia from entering that home, because duh he’s suing them. So seeing his name on a list, the guard at the gate wouldn’t let them in. They claimed to be doing a “wellness check” on their parents and called the Sheriffs to accompany them. This was very stressful to the parents, having those two barge in with sheriffs. The usually placid peacemaker George Jr had a fit and chewed Albert out, and Albert’s wife filmed some of that.
When Albert and his wife got back to Fullerton, they tried to get a restraining order against George Jr, based on their video. The judge denied their request, concluding, “Please relay to Sylvia, your mother, how much I feel for her, to see her children fighting like this over money.”
Funny part? The judge in question was Cheri Pham, wife of the disgraced former Supervisor Do and mother of the famed Rhiannon. I guess I won’t say any more about that, but I’m glad Judge Cheri made the right decision.
On Monday the defendants will be filing a “Defendants’ Motion for Protective Order” which begins thusly, sounding a bit like me filtered through legalese:
“In this familial dispute, Plaintiff Albert Bushala (“Plaintiff”) attempts to ignore numerous sophisticated trusts and longstanding estate plans, and usurp a portion of all the work, investment, and monies of his three siblings, in-law, and elderly parents, based on an illusory, baseless, delusional, and ill-inspired theory that there was some oral agreement dating over 45 years ago between the parties.“
Ill-inspired indeed! Hopefully some judge will throw the whole thing out, with snide commentary, on Sept 15 or Nov 17. Maybe it’ll even be Judge Cheri Pham again, who does that! It has been a nightmare for everyone involved.
Greatest pianist/composer in Orange County, and official political troubadour of Anaheim and most other OC towns. Regularly makes solo performances, sometimes with his savage-jazz band The Vern Nelson Problem. Reach at vernpnelson@gmail.com, or 714-235-VERN.
Albert Bushala has done remarkably well financially, all stemming from initial support from his father and brothers. Interestingly, he doesn’t seem to think any of HIS properties and their income should be shared with his brothers. So much for Lebanese oral contracts.
Back in the 80s and 90s Albert’s sole contribution to BBI was to collect rent on his Dad’s properties.
But, back to Fullerton. Yes, this issue was ginned up by the Kennedy women to try to hurt Tony whom they hold in great contempt, showing a complete lack of journalistic integrity (as per usual) in their squalid rag, The Fullerton Observer.
The City Attorney has made it crystal clear to Zahra, Manassero and the Kennedys (if any of them were even paying attention) that this is a non issue. Albert Bushala is no longer part of BBI and was paid off on any interest in the Santa Fe Depot.
I understand you’ve had a personal relationship with Tony for many years, so I wanted to clarify a few facts in your piece:
1. I’ve never spoken with or messaged Albert Bushala.
2. My reporting focused strictly on the public facts of the case, as laid out in court filings
3. Albert’s allegations go far beyond a decades-old oral agreement, which your piece omits. He claims that his siblings and mother used pressure and manipulation to transfer ownership of their father’s assets, particularly through changes in LLC ownership.
4. While your article suggests Albert was paid for his share of the lease, the only document presented is a letter of intent, not an executed assignment. No such transfer appears in the City’s public records. If the City lacks proof that Albert relinquished his stake, it raises a legitimate question: why was he not a party to the lease extension?
5. You frame the two dissenting votes as wanting to “poke Bushala in the eye,” but don’t mention that the three councilmembers who voted yes received over $10,000 each in support from Tony and George Jr. That seems like relevant context for readers.
6. You say I included “extra disturbing details that weren’t even in the suit.” If you could clarify what you’re referring to, I’d appreciate it.
7. Finally, you describe George Jr. as “usually placid.” I’m curious how much interaction you’ve had with him. I’d recommend watching his conduct at the most recent council meeting and drawing your own conclusions.
I appreciate the opinion piece and hope this clears up a few points
You don’t seem to grasp the fact that Albert Bushala was separated from the corporation 21 years ago. I know. I was there. He signed away any claim to the Santa Fe Depot Lease. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Doesn’t really clear up a few points. I’d say that the two main points of my piece are 1) that Albert’s lawsuit is a laughable and regrettable nuisance; and 2) it had/has no bearing on the decision before council last month on whether the city should lease out that loading dock, although you and your crowd tried hard to make that work. I don’t think you’ve actually addressed or weakened either of my main points.
I’ll start with Quibble 5: I heard no substantive argument from the two dissenters why the lease should be postponed or denied, leading to the conclusion their motivation was wanting to “poke Bushala in the eye.” I did mention that Bushala helped the other 3 get elected, didn’t have the figures for his contributions at hand, but we do see them vote against his interests on occasion, and this particular vote was a no-brainer.
Quibbles 1, 2, 6 & 7 can be connected. I’ll take you at your word that you were never in contact with Albert, cuz you don’t seem like a liar. In #6 I was referring to you repeating that Albert story of his dad whispering to him “They don’t let me leave the house and I don’t have a cell phone. I don’t know what to do.” I read the whole lawsuit and didn’t see that. You said that claim was included in a “declaration filed alongside the lawsuit.” Well you did go the extra mile to find and report that, I was guessing you might have been pointed to it by Albert or someone, but you say no.
But your search for and through materials related to this suit was NOT EXHAUSTIVE, or you probably wouldn’t have written Quibble 7 here. I mean, you must not have seen the two April 1 court transcripts from when Judge Pham laughed out of court the restraining order against George Jr over the February fracas.
It’s really good reading, hilarious stuff, and if you had come across it somehow I’m surprised you didn’t reference it. (Not really, it doesn’t assist the case you want to make.)
The reason I’m assuming you never read this is you wouldn’t have written Quibble #7 about George Jr’s general unhingedness if you had read the Miaad testimony. Repeatedly and repeatedly, she said she literally didn’t recognize George Jr, WHOM SHE’S KNOWN FOR DECADES, because she had never seen him angry, always knew him to be very mellow. (As have I.) This, from the lady suing him. It won’t copy and paste and I’m not gonna spend the time typing any of it out, but here again is the link http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bushala-No-TRO-1-for-Miaad.pdf
We also learn more detail/color about what led to George’s rage that night: His mother Sylvia was so upset that Albert and Miaad had come by, against her requests, and somehow gotten in, that she was in tears and wouldn’t leave her room. When George Jr saw that, he lost it. This is also in those transcripts.
I think Zenger already demolished Quibble #4.
A word on unilateral disarmament. When politicians support campaign finance reform, as do I, they get called hypocrites if they take any big money while the other side is taking all they want. People expect unilateral disarmament from them.
Same with Republicans right now who are cheering on Texas’ ultra-partisan and unseasonable redistricting, but condemn California for responding in kind – they expect California and Democrats to unilaterally disarm.
In the same vein, I don’t feel the need to unilaterally disarm by writing a “both-sides” story when responding to one-sided propaganda. The world wants balance.
I haven’t always agreed with Bushala over the 12 years I’ve known him. And it doesn’t look like the Council majority he helped elect always agrees with him either. It’s better anyway than having a majority motivated by poking someone in the eye.
Thanks for responding, but I don’t want to have a long back-and-forth here, I’m working on the next few stories. Cheers!
The Albert Bushala complaint was published by the Observer to embarrass Tony and George, pure and simple. The Kennedys knew BBI had three votes for an eminently fair deal for the City, so really the whole opposition schtick was a Kabuki show.
As far as Shana Charles and George Jr.’s performance I have to say it was hilarious. The completely ignorant Charles didn’t like what George was saying and tried to talk over him to get him to shut up. I wonder if that works with her students.
Anyway George had listened to a bunch of nonsense from Zahra’s claque of followers for a couple hours and was in no mood to be pushed around by someone with zero experience in commercial real estate.
We know the whole depot lease uproar is disingenuous as far as the “issues” raised because none of these people have ever said a single word about the vast and incompetent giveaway in the adjacent parcel for the so-called boutique hotel/monster apartment that involved the City upzoning its own property to 2.5 times the allowable Transportation Center Specific Plan density and then selling it to a couple fly-by-night scammers for 1/10 it new value.
That project is now the cause of a legitimate lawsuit between the scammers and the heirs of the original proposer. These people want to get their money out.
Why the silence? Why no wailing? Because Zahra and Charles voted to create this mess. Zahra’s diligent investigation into the disaster was notable for its complete absence.
Good article.
It’s “down to the desert”
Albert Bushala has done remarkably well financially, all stemming from initial support from his father and brothers. Interestingly, he doesn’t seem to think any of HIS properties and their income should be shared with his brothers. So much for Lebanese oral contracts.
Back in the 80s and 90s Albert’s sole contribution to BBI was to collect rent on his Dad’s properties.
But, back to Fullerton. Yes, this issue was ginned up by the Kennedy women to try to hurt Tony whom they hold in great contempt, showing a complete lack of journalistic integrity (as per usual) in their squalid rag, The Fullerton Observer.
The City Attorney has made it crystal clear to Zahra, Manassero and the Kennedys (if any of them were even paying attention) that this is a non issue. Albert Bushala is no longer part of BBI and was paid off on any interest in the Santa Fe Depot.
Go enforce that contract in Lebanon.
P.S. Zahra had the nerve at the meeting to claim he had no personal bias or enmity against the Bushalas. Another outright Zahra lie.
Hi Vern,
I understand you’ve had a personal relationship with Tony for many years, so I wanted to clarify a few facts in your piece:
1. I’ve never spoken with or messaged Albert Bushala.
2. My reporting focused strictly on the public facts of the case, as laid out in court filings
3. Albert’s allegations go far beyond a decades-old oral agreement, which your piece omits. He claims that his siblings and mother used pressure and manipulation to transfer ownership of their father’s assets, particularly through changes in LLC ownership.
4. While your article suggests Albert was paid for his share of the lease, the only document presented is a letter of intent, not an executed assignment. No such transfer appears in the City’s public records. If the City lacks proof that Albert relinquished his stake, it raises a legitimate question: why was he not a party to the lease extension?
5. You frame the two dissenting votes as wanting to “poke Bushala in the eye,” but don’t mention that the three councilmembers who voted yes received over $10,000 each in support from Tony and George Jr. That seems like relevant context for readers.
6. You say I included “extra disturbing details that weren’t even in the suit.” If you could clarify what you’re referring to, I’d appreciate it.
7. Finally, you describe George Jr. as “usually placid.” I’m curious how much interaction you’ve had with him. I’d recommend watching his conduct at the most recent council meeting and drawing your own conclusions.
I appreciate the opinion piece and hope this clears up a few points
You don’t seem to grasp the fact that Albert Bushala was separated from the corporation 21 years ago. I know. I was there. He signed away any claim to the Santa Fe Depot Lease. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Doesn’t really clear up a few points. I’d say that the two main points of my piece are 1) that Albert’s lawsuit is a laughable and regrettable nuisance; and 2) it had/has no bearing on the decision before council last month on whether the city should lease out that loading dock, although you and your crowd tried hard to make that work. I don’t think you’ve actually addressed or weakened either of my main points.
I’ll start with Quibble 5: I heard no substantive argument from the two dissenters why the lease should be postponed or denied, leading to the conclusion their motivation was wanting to “poke Bushala in the eye.” I did mention that Bushala helped the other 3 get elected, didn’t have the figures for his contributions at hand, but we do see them vote against his interests on occasion, and this particular vote was a no-brainer.
Quibbles 1, 2, 6 & 7 can be connected. I’ll take you at your word that you were never in contact with Albert, cuz you don’t seem like a liar. In #6 I was referring to you repeating that Albert story of his dad whispering to him “They don’t let me leave the house and I don’t have a cell phone. I don’t know what to do.” I read the whole lawsuit and didn’t see that. You said that claim was included in a “declaration filed alongside the lawsuit.” Well you did go the extra mile to find and report that, I was guessing you might have been pointed to it by Albert or someone, but you say no.
But your search for and through materials related to this suit was NOT EXHAUSTIVE, or you probably wouldn’t have written Quibble 7 here. I mean, you must not have seen the two April 1 court transcripts from when Judge Pham laughed out of court the restraining order against George Jr over the February fracas.
Here she laughs Miaad’s request out of court: http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bushala-No-TRO-1-for-Miaad.pdf
And here she laughs Albert’s request out of court:
http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bushala-No-TRO-2-for-Albert.pdf
It’s really good reading, hilarious stuff, and if you had come across it somehow I’m surprised you didn’t reference it. (Not really, it doesn’t assist the case you want to make.)
The reason I’m assuming you never read this is you wouldn’t have written Quibble #7 about George Jr’s general unhingedness if you had read the Miaad testimony. Repeatedly and repeatedly, she said she literally didn’t recognize George Jr, WHOM SHE’S KNOWN FOR DECADES, because she had never seen him angry, always knew him to be very mellow. (As have I.) This, from the lady suing him. It won’t copy and paste and I’m not gonna spend the time typing any of it out, but here again is the link http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bushala-No-TRO-1-for-Miaad.pdf
We also learn more detail/color about what led to George’s rage that night: His mother Sylvia was so upset that Albert and Miaad had come by, against her requests, and somehow gotten in, that she was in tears and wouldn’t leave her room. When George Jr saw that, he lost it. This is also in those transcripts.
I think Zenger already demolished Quibble #4.
A word on unilateral disarmament. When politicians support campaign finance reform, as do I, they get called hypocrites if they take any big money while the other side is taking all they want. People expect unilateral disarmament from them.
Same with Republicans right now who are cheering on Texas’ ultra-partisan and unseasonable redistricting, but condemn California for responding in kind – they expect California and Democrats to unilaterally disarm.
In the same vein, I don’t feel the need to unilaterally disarm by writing a “both-sides” story when responding to one-sided propaganda. The world wants balance.
I haven’t always agreed with Bushala over the 12 years I’ve known him. And it doesn’t look like the Council majority he helped elect always agrees with him either. It’s better anyway than having a majority motivated by poking someone in the eye.
Thanks for responding, but I don’t want to have a long back-and-forth here, I’m working on the next few stories. Cheers!
The Albert Bushala complaint was published by the Observer to embarrass Tony and George, pure and simple. The Kennedys knew BBI had three votes for an eminently fair deal for the City, so really the whole opposition schtick was a Kabuki show.
As far as Shana Charles and George Jr.’s performance I have to say it was hilarious. The completely ignorant Charles didn’t like what George was saying and tried to talk over him to get him to shut up. I wonder if that works with her students.
Anyway George had listened to a bunch of nonsense from Zahra’s claque of followers for a couple hours and was in no mood to be pushed around by someone with zero experience in commercial real estate.
Don’t besmirch local hero George, Jr.
And another thing.
We know the whole depot lease uproar is disingenuous as far as the “issues” raised because none of these people have ever said a single word about the vast and incompetent giveaway in the adjacent parcel for the so-called boutique hotel/monster apartment that involved the City upzoning its own property to 2.5 times the allowable Transportation Center Specific Plan density and then selling it to a couple fly-by-night scammers for 1/10 it new value.
That project is now the cause of a legitimate lawsuit between the scammers and the heirs of the original proposer. These people want to get their money out.
Why the silence? Why no wailing? Because Zahra and Charles voted to create this mess. Zahra’s diligent investigation into the disaster was notable for its complete absence.