LOS ANGELES : Grocers to Pay $38,000 Over Illegal Campaign Gifts

Continuing a series of Southern California investigations of campaign financing, a state watchdog agency on Monday announced that a Los Angeles grocers group has agreed to pay a $38,000 penalty for illegally laundering political donations.

The Mexican American Grocers’ Assn., an organization of independent market owners, acknowledged making $14,300 in improper campaign contributions to six state and local candidates from 1990 through 1992, according to the settlement made public Monday. The group’s president, Steven A. Soto, who signed the agreement, and an attorney representing the association could not be reached for comment late Monday.

The violations involved association employees, who made contributions ranging from $500 to $5,000 to candidates and were reimbursed by the organization--a practice banned by campaign finance laws intended to ensure a true picture of a candidate’s financial backers.

Candidates receiving the funds were: state Assembly candidates Xavier Becerra, Kathleen Torres and Martha Escutia; county supervisor candidates Art Torres and Sarah Flores and San Fernando City Council candidate Rosa Chacon. Fair Political Practices Commission chief of enforcement Darryl East said there is no evidence that the candidates knew the donations were improper. The FPPC is expected to approve the settlement Dec. 1.