LOS ANGELES : 3 Fines Levied for Illegal Campaign Contributions
In a continuing crackdown on political money laundering in Los Angeles city politics, city and state officials Thursday fined two businesses and the associate of a major lobbyist for concealing the source of campaign contributions.
The state Fair Political Practices Commission fined Chi May (Marian) Chen $38,000 for repeatedly funneling illegal contributions to state and local politicians. Chen is controller in the law firm of Art Snyder, a former city councilman who is a prominent lobbyist.
In a separate action, the city Ethics Commission imposed a $16,000 fine on Precision Engine Volume for laundering $2,500 in donations to City Councilman Mike Hernandez. The agency also levied a $3,300 fine against Borbon Inc. for disguising the source of a $500 donation to Hernandez.
Both companies admitted the violations of the City Charter and agreed to pay the fines. Although commission staff members said there is no evidence that Hernandez knew the donations were illicit, the councilman said he will pay the funds back to the city treasury.
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