Bruce Lion, a 64-year-old heir to the Lion Raisins company, has appeared in Los Angeles court facing hate crime charges after allegedly hurling antisemitic abuse at his rabbi neighbour, Zushe Cunin, in June. The incident, captured on video, showed Lion making derogatory remarks and threats whilst standing on his balcony. Upon appearing in court, Lion denied the charges, calling them "ridiculous" and insisting his confrontation had nothing to do with his neighbour's religious faith.

Lion faces three charges: two felonies for making criminal threats with intent to terrorise and one for threatening someone based on their religious beliefs, carrying a potential sentence of up to nine years imprisonment. Released on $225,000 bail, he has been barred from his $5.3 million Pacific Palisades home due to a protective order, though his lawyers sought to reduce it from 300 yards to 100 yards. Lion has a previous criminal history including a 2019 conviction for violating a domestic violence restraining order and making criminal threats. His family business, Lion Raisins, is estimated to be worth around $120 million with annual revenue up to $75 million.