Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS : MISCELLANY / NEWSMAKERS AND MILESTONES

“I was sure that the system would come through for me,” said Connie L. Stewart of Huntington Beach after the verdict. “It’s been a long haul. I’m really very grateful.”

Orange County Superior Court Judge Judith M. Ryan ruled in favor of Stewart against her former husband, finding that he had convinced her through fraudulent means that their $70-million company had little value. Ryan dissolved the couple’s 1983 divorce settlement that left the wife with property worth $750,000.

Ryan ruled against Keith B. Stewart on every point in the case, including allegations of fraud, concealment and violations of securities laws.

Ryan set a September hearing to determine a fair split of the property accumulated during the Stewarts’ 20-year marriage, and said she would award punitive damages against the husband.

Connie Stewart testified that she relied on her estranged husband’s statements that his firm, now Gradco Systems Inc., was heavily in debt while they negotiated the property settlement. He concealed plans to make a public offering of the privately held firm, of which he controlled 55% of the stock, she testified.