Mark Sawusch: Yogi couple converted ophthalmologist's mansion into 5-star narcotics spa before his death
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA: Yogi couple Anna Rene Moore and Anthony David Flores, who goes by Anton David, have been accused of stealing $3 million from bipolar doctor Mark Sawusch, an ophthalmologist who died at his Malibu home in May 2018, and converting his mansion into a 5-star narcotics spa before his death.
According to DailyMail, Flores, 46, a hairstylist from Fresno, California, and Moore, 39, an actress from Monterrey, Mexico, moved into Sawusch’s house just days after they met him at an ice cream shop off Venice Beach in June 2017. After they moved, they slowly took control of Sawusch's life and his finances. Sawusch, who was worth more than $60 million, as per The New York Times, struggled with bipolar disorder. According to the court documents, he lost the ability to care for himself and was involuntarily hospitalized eight times between 2015 and 2017.
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Who was Dr Mark Sawusch?
According to his website, Sawusch attended the University of Chicago Pritzker Medical School and Ophthalmology residency at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute. He also did an honorary Heed Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the University of Southern California Doheny Eye Institute. And was a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Sawusch practiced in the Pacific Palisades and lived in a Malibu beachfront house. He was a "board-certified ophthalmologist providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care." His medical services included treatment of refractive errors (glasses and contact lenses), conjunctivitis, corneal diseases, dry eye, retinal diseases, and glaucoma. Surgical services included cataract surgery, retinal laser surgery, and glaucoma surgery, among others.
When did Sawusch meet Flores and Moore?
In 2017, Sawusch was arrested for throwing rocks and construction cones at cars on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. He was charged with malicious mischief and was placed under court-ordered psychiatric evaluation on $40,000 bail, as per Market Watch. Following his release, he met Flores and Moore on June 23, 2017. Flores and Moore ran a yoga center in Fresno.
The three went for an impromptu road trip to Northern California in Sawusch’s Tesla. And soon, moved into Sawusch’s multi-million dollar beachfront home. Flores allegedly sent a text message to Sawusch writing, "If this helps you in any way, or if there is anything we can do for you, we will be happy to assist you. Our desire is to add ease and flow to your life and be of great service. Sincerely, your new friends: Anton & Anna," states Market Watch.
As the duo was aiding Sawusch, who had an elderly mother and a sister who both lived in Florida, they also gained control over his finances, establishing power of attorney over his accounts. USA Today states, "Prosecutors said Flores and Moore arranged for a doctor to have ketamine infusions at a clinic in an effort to keep him subdued and unaware of how much control they had seized over his finances." Prior to his death, the couple allegedly gave Sawusch LSD and marijuana to keep him sedated. They also changed the password and registered number on an investment portfolio.
According to DailyMail, Flores "hired a raft of massage therapists and more than 20 housekeepers, handymen, and other staff to work at Sawusch's 1,200-square-foot home, telling them he wanted it to be like a five-star spa." Also, during this time, the couple apparently transferred a lump sum from Sawusch's accounts to their own personal accounts which they used to throw an Oscars viewing party at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The two prevented his friends and county caseworkers from meeting him and also told Sawusch's mother not to contact her son.
As per the outlet, two weeks before Sawusch died, Flores and Moore invited a shaman into the mansion for a Mother's Day acid trip. The shaman supplied liquid LSD in a vial with a dropper for doses under the tongue. And while Sawusch was under the influence, Flores allegedly changed the two-step authentication on a brokerage firm account to his own number to get access to Sawusch's $60million account.
However, after Sawusch's death, a pathologist who did an autopsy found that ketamine and alcohol "did not significantly contribute to the immediate cause of death". Sawusch died as a result of two heart conditions: dilated cardiomyopathy and a congenitally narrow coronary artery. Following this, the victim's family filed a lawsuit against the duo, who agreed to repay $1 million as part of a settlement, as per USA Today.
In January, the FBI arrested Flores in Freson and Moore a few days later in Houston. They were booked for fraud, identity theft, and money laundering charges. They may face 20 years in prison for fraud charges, 30 years on money-laundering-related charges, and two years on identity theft charges. However, they both pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.