Community Corner

Judge Freezes Lake Elsinore Man's Assets in Doc Murder Case

An Orange County Superior Court judge barred Stanwood Fred Elkus of Lake Elsinore from transferring homes and property to relatives pending a civil lawsuit filed by the family of Newport Beach doctor, whom Elkus is charged with killing.

An Orange County Superior Court judge issued an injunction today barring a Lake Elsinore man accused of killing a Newport Beach physician from transferring ownership of his eight homes and condos while a wrongful death lawsuit against him is pending.

The ruling by Judge David McEachen prohibits Stanwood Fred Elkus from transferring his properties in Lake Forest, Huntington Beach and Lake Elsinore to a relative, possibly his sister and her husband, according to attorney Edward Susolik, who represents the family of Dr. Ronald Franklin Gilbert.

Gilbert, a urologist, was gunned down in his Newport Beach office in January. Elkus is awaiting trial for the killing.

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The judge issued a temporary restraining order April 4 barring transfer of the properties, and today's ruling extends the injunction while the lawsuit is pending, Susolik said.

Elkus attempted to transfer a Huntington Beach condo to Sam and Shelly Wenguer as a gift on Feb. 7, according to Susolik. The judge's order halted the transfer and prevents seven other properties from being sold until the lawsuit is finished, the attorney said.

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"It's a huge deal," Susolik said after the hearing. 'What it does is preserve the assets of the defendant so the family can collect a portion of the judgment at the end of the case."

Susolik said he expects the civil lawsuit, which alleges wrongful death and fraudulent conveyance of property, will be resolved before Elkus goes on trial in the criminal case. Susolik, who represents some family members of the mass shooting at Salon Meritage in Seal Beach, said he overcame defendant Scott Dekraai's attempt to suspend the civil suits against him until after the criminal trial.

"I'm going to file the same blueprint here," Susolik said. "The facts are undisputed here."

No attorney appeared on Elkus' behalf in today's hearing.

Susolik said he expects to add the names of Elkus' relatives to the Gilbert family's lawsuit this week.

The eight properties are worth about $2 million, Susolik said.

Gilbert, of Huntington Beach, was shot a couple days before his 53rd birthday about 2:45 p.m. in an exam room on the second floor of a medical building at 520 Superior Ave., near Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

It was apparently during Elkus' first appointment with Gilbert, Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy said.

According to prosecutors, Elkus went to Gilbert's office armed with a handgun and waited for the doctor to come in. Gilbert was shot multiple times in the chest, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

—City News Service


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