BURBANK : Airport Stands By Choice of Convicted Concessionaire

Despite objections from one of its commissioners, the Burbank Airport authority Monday decided not to reconsider a contract awarded to an Atlanta-based concessionaire convicted of felony mail fraud and conspiracy.

A motion by Commissioner Chris Holden to review the issue was struck down by a 5-1 vote after his colleagues concluded that federal convictions in January would not hinder The Paradies Shops’ ability to operate four news and gift stores at Burbank. The authority granted the concession in December, when the company was under indictment.

Holden, who said he was never informed of the legal proceedings against the firm, nevertheless predicted that the company would prosper at Burbank. He said he was not prepared to reverse his stand in favor of the company without a review.

The firm and its owner, Daniel M. Paradies, were convicted Jan. 22 of 83 counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy. An Atlanta jury found Paradies guilty for his role in a scheme to funnel more than $1 million in illegal payoffs to an official who later served on the Atlanta airport commission.