Animal Sanctuary Founder in Southern California Faces Kidnapping Allegations
Federal Authorities Arrest Animal Sanctuary Founder in Kidnapping Plot
Federal agents have apprehended Leo Grillo, the founder of an animal sanctuary, who is accused of orchestrating a kidnapping scheme aimed at a former employee. The alleged plot involved forcing the employee to settle a multimillion-dollar court judgment related to her wrongful termination.
According to the criminal complaint, Grillo arranged a series of meetings over the past four months at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank with a man whom he believed would facilitate the kidnapping. Authorities stated Grillo was unaware that this individual was collaborating with the FBI.
The arrest occurred just moments after Grillo signed a $10,000 check intended for the would-be kidnappers.
Grillo’s legal troubles stem from a protracted dispute with a former employee known as Adriana. Employed for approximately two and a half years at Delta Rescue, a 115-acre ranch in Acton, California, Adriana was fired in February 2020 after requesting maternity leave following the birth of her daughter. Her attorneys assert that Grillo made derogatory remarks about her ethnic background during depositions.
In November 2024, Adriana won a wrongful termination lawsuit against Grillo, with the jury awarding her $6.7 million in damages. Following this verdict, Grillo filed for bankruptcy in July 2025. However, Adriana’s attorneys claimed their investigation revealed that Grillo’s assets exceeded his debts by more than double.
“He could have just let it go,” said attorney Armen Manasserian. “It was only to utilize or abuse the court system to prevent this woman from being able to collect after years of abuse.”
Documents presented in court indicate that Grillo later engaged in discussions with a businessman in Mexico, communicating through coded language about making a “documentary” concerning Adriana. Prosecutors allege that these conversations masked a sinister plan to kidnap both Adriana and her child, transporting them to Mexico and holding them against their will to extort a lesser settlement than what was owed.
In February, Grillo sent the cooperating businessman a check for $20,000, with “production” written in the memo line. On Tuesday, the informant displayed a fake photo depicting Adriana and her husband bound, prompting Grillo to authorize an additional $10,000 for the alleged kidnappers. Authorities arrested him immediately after he signed the check.
“This is an obsessive and despicable person that would stoop to unspeakable conduct,” Manasserian remarked.
Prosecutors revealed that Grillo indicated a willingness to pay up to $100,000 to carry out the kidnapping. He now faces charges of attempted kidnapping.
Adriana’s legal team reported that she is deeply traumatized by the incident but relieved that the alleged plan was thwarted before being executed.
