3 Agree to Pay a $94,000 Fine in Laundering of Political Donations

The owners of a Los Angeles burglar-alarm company have agreed to pay a $94,000 fine for laundering money to 17 state and local candidates, including six Orange County candidates, over a five-year period.

The state Fair Political Practices Commission will decide Oct. 1 whether to accept the proposed fine from Ricki and Michael Hanyecz of Beverly Hills, who own Rimi Security Systems Inc.; and Ricki Hanyecz’s sister Simi Katzir of Los Angeles.

The three admitted donating a total of $27,700 to the candidates through intermediaries who then were reimbursed, according to a settlement agreement. Hiding the source of a political contribution is a violation of state law.

None of the candidates were aware that the donors were reimbursed, commission spokesman Gary Huckaby said Wednesday.

Of the Orange County contributions, $3,600 went to Laguna Niguel Councilman Mark Goodman; $2,350 to then-Laguna Niguel Councilman Tom Wilson, now a county supervisor; $1,500 each to Yorba Linda Councilmen Gene Wisner and John Gullixson; $750 to Yorba Linda Councilman Daniel T. Welch; and $300 to Laguna Niguel Councilwoman Patricia C. Bates.

Another $5,500 was laundered through Citizens for Improved Public Policy, a political committee to aid the candidates.

The remaining contributions went to four candidates for Contra Costa County supervisor, four candidates for San Jose City Council, and three Northern California Assembly candidates.

The Hanyeczs and Katzir were fined $2,000 each for 47 contributions, the maximum penalty that can be imposed by state law, Huckaby said.

Ira Glasky, attorney for the Hanyeczs and Katzir, said the contributions were made by family members with personal, not business, funds.

Rimi Security contracts with new-home builders to install security systems. Most of the company’s business is in Orange and Los Angeles counties and parts of Northern California.