Casino Owner Is Accused of Bribery

A federal grand jury indicted a Huntington Park casino owner Friday on six counts of bribery, alleging he offered or gave the city’s mayor campaign contributions and $5,000 to secure his vote on issues.

Harry Hwang, president of L.A. Casino in Huntington Park, allegedly gave the $5,000 in cash to send Mayor Richard Loya and his wife on a cruise to Italy. Hwang was taped during a series of meetings by a concealed microphone worn by Loya, who was working with the FBI.

Hwang told Loya he had made similar gifts to a former Huntington Park councilman, according to an affidavit by Special Agent L.J. Connolly, who listened to tapes of the conversations.

If convicted, Hwang faces up to 60 years in federal prison. He was arrested last month on a bribery charge and released on $50,000 bond. Brian Hennigan, Hwang’s attorney, did not return messages Friday but has said his client maintains his innocence.

The federal indictment adds to the growing problems for Huntington Park’s political scene. Councilwoman Linda Luz Guevara has been accused of falsely claiming she lives in Huntington Park, when authorities say she really resides in Downey. She faces two counts of perjury and denies the accusations.

Hwang, 49, a Hancock Park resident, wanted Loya to help him obtain a waiver so he wouldn’t have to pay a $10,000-a-month business license fee, authorities said.

Earlier, Hwang had struck a development deal with the city so he could build a $110-million retail center with a multiplex cinema. According to the indictment, Hwang wanted Loya’s help to ensure he got $7 million in financial assistance from the city for his project.

Hwang first broached the subject of giving Loya campaign contributions in return for his vote on the development May 9, according to the indictment. The mayor contacted the FBI on June 10 about Hwang’s offer.

Loya and Hwang met July 2 at the Pacific Dining Car, where the mayor told Hwang he could not support the development. Hwang then gave Loya a Cartier pen set and offered to make him property manager for the development after he leaves the council, officials said.

At the Greystone Cafe on Wilshire Boulevard, prosecutors said, Hwang made an offer to launder political contributions to the mayor through tenants at a mini-mall he operates, saying he had done the same for a former councilman.

When Hwang learned later that Loya did not plan on a lengthy political career and was considering going on a cruise, he then offered to pay for it in cash, prosecutors said. Outside the Bonaventure Hotel on Aug. 10, federal agents videotaped Hwang as he gave Loya a white envelope with $4,000 in $100 and $20 bills, court records show. Shortly afterward, Hwang handed over the other $1,000 at another meeting.