Police Seeking More Victims of Westlake Company Scam

Clinton Tod Harwell of Westlake Village pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday on one count of felony grand theft in Ventura County Superior Court.

Harwell, 51, is accused of using invalid oil and gas leases from Texas to secure investments from residents of Ventura County. He is also charged with a “special allegation” that he took more than $65,000, which he also denied at the arraignment.

Authorities arrested Harwell in Texas in late February then extradited him to Ventura County earlier this month. He maintained offices in Westlake Village and did business under the names Lobo 2006 Resources LLC and Rach Exploration Co. LLC.

Harwell allegedly tried to get people to invest in the invalid leases. Authorities have identified one victim each in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, although they believe there could be more victims.

Anyone who might be a victim of the scam or who has information about Harwell should contact Det. Garo Kuredjian of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at 805.494.8231.