Raisin heir Bruce Lion was busted for terror threats

A raisin heir known for his erratic behavior has been arrested for making terror threats after being filmed shouting racist and antisemitic slurs at his Jewish neighbors from his luxury Pacific Palisades home.

The California Post obtained footage of Bruce Lion, associated with Lion Raisins, allegedly confronting his neighbor Rabbi Zushe Cunin from the balcony of his $5.3 million mansion. Lion reportedly voiced bizarre grievances against Judaism and the rabbi.

Lion, aged 64, who has faced legal issues before, including charges of criminal threats and gun possession, was also seen disrupting services at the Chabad of Pacific Palisades. He hurled insults at Jewish and black individuals and accused Jewish people of setting fires in the area, according to Cunin.

During one confrontation, Lion shouted: “I ain’t going nowhere Jew boy, lose some f—ing weight. Go f—ing work. Do something for a change. Your fake f—ing gospel don’t mean s—t. You’re f—ing done. You kill Jesus, you’re going to f—ing hell. Do you understand?” He also threatened to “pull” the rabbi’s nose.

In other incidents, Lion could be heard using the N-word multiple times.

Rabbi Cunin stated that he has been dealing with Lion’s behavior since the fruit heir moved into the neighboring mansion in March, which was purchased for $5.275 million.

Cunin also accused Lion of disrupting a congregation at his residence while making antisemitic comments in front of children.

“It was horrific,” Cunin remarked. “I’ve never experienced it, especially in front of kids. Little children. In this country, to have to see this kind of hatred and antisemitism is just unacceptable.”

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Cunin reported that he and others had frequently complained to the police, leading to Lion’s arrest just before midnight on Friday. The LAPD confirmed the arrest.

Lion was charged with making terror threats and was held on $50,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

City Councilwoman Traci Parks, who represents the Palisades district, condemned Lion’s actions.

“The hate and harassment directed at a rabbi and members of his congregation in Pacific Palisades is reprehensible and deeply disturbing,” she told The California Post.

“We appreciate LAPD taking these concerns seriously and acting swiftly to protect our community. Let me be clear: hate has no home in Pacific Palisades, in Council District 11, or anywhere in the City of Los Angeles.”

Lion has a history of legal issues, including serving jail time in 2019 for making criminal threats and possessing a gun, despite being prohibited from owning firearms. In that case, he was found in violation of a domestic violence restraining order for having a weapon and making threats.

He was arrested in 2023 for allegedly throwing rocks at cars in Monterey County, obstructing the highway with debris, and assaulting construction workers. Charges included assault, false imprisonment, vandalism, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm.

Lion was arrested again in 2023 after Fresno police reported he violated a domestic violence protective order at his ex-wife’s home. This arrest followed a prior domestic violence-related incident at the same location.

The outcome of the 2023 cases remains unconfirmed.

In January, the Department of Labor cited him while mandating Lion Raisins to pay back wages and penalties after an investigation revealed it failed to provide safe transportation for workers, resulting in a fatal accident.

Lion amassed his fortune through his family’s business, Lion Raisins, renowned for “five generations of greatness” and “120 years of growing experience and expertise.”

The Fresno County-based company employed 400 individuals and was estimated to generate over $71 million in revenue in 2024.

The Post interviewed Lion at his Pacific Palisades mansion a day before his arrest.

He played Christian devotional music loudly on his television, which he said he did to irritate his Jewish neighbors. His property also featured several paintings of Jesus Christ.

“I want them to know they’re going to hell, and it makes me happy,” he stated.

Additionally, he played “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, intending to convey to his neighbors that they were “gross pigs.”

Lion offered a different version of his interactions with the rabbi and his congregation, suggesting a “run-in” with Cunin occurred due to Cunin’s alleged belligerence.

“His guys were cussing me out, calling me all kinds of names. I mean, it’s like, I don’t know what’s with this guy,” Lion commented, later attributing the issue to Cunin’s associates.

“It’s not him, he’s a good guy. It’s his guys that live with him,” he added.

Lion also claimed that bodies were being hidden on the rabbi’s property.

Later, he requested a Post reporter to drive him to a Porsche dealership to choose a luxury vehicle to replace a Ferrari he recently crashed.

On the day of his arrest, Cunin reported that Lion continued calling him during the night. When the rabbi answered, Lion allegedly launched into a tirade of profanity.

“He said, ‘Guess what?, Cunin recalled. “‘Iran is coming to get you. You should move out.’”

“Really crazy stuff,” Cunin concluded.