Posted on 04/28/2005 9:19:18 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
After months of criticizing Mayor James K. Hahn for accepting questionable political donations, mayoral challenger Antonio Villaraigosa found himself answering questions Wednesday about $31,000 in donations to his campaign from workers at two affiliated Florida-based companies.
Although some employees said they supported Villaraigosa, others struggled to explain the donations, sounded confused when told of their donations or declined to answer questions.
The donations, which were first reported Wednesday in the Torrance-based Daily Breeze, prompted Hahn to urge city officials to investigate.
"There's a lot of questions here and I think the Ethics Commission should do an immediate investigation of these contributions to see if there are any violations, any money laundering or any violations of our city's ethics code," Hahn said at a news conference in Hollywood.
Villaraigosa campaign manager Ace Smith, who was standing nearby, dismissed Hahn's comments, noting that the mayor's administration is under investigation for possible links between campaign donations and city contracts.
But Smith said the campaign would review the donations.
"We will take quick action to get to the bottom of any questions that may be raised," he said.
Records show that at least 20 employees of a Miami company, Travel Traders LLC, and a related company, S.E. Florida Investments, gave individual donations to Villaraigosa's campaign.
Travel Traders operates gift shops in major hotels. Its president, Sean Anderson, once headed W.H. Smith, which previously had the largest concessions contract for gift shops and newsstands at Los Angeles International Airport.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
things that make you go ummmmmmmmmmmmmm..
"Ace Smith" is his campaign manager? Who's his communications chief, Stubby Kaye?
99.99% of Los Angeles resident have no idea who the mayor of miami is and the same with miami folks toward LA.
This just stinks. Local elections should only be funded locally.
oh I agree, looks like a kick back for the LAX gift shops.
I guess that is what happends when a termed out state assemblyman runs for mayor, then city council and now mayor again.
Here's a little history on this Anti-American MECHCA, AZTLAN loving creep.
http://www.badmayor.com/
The Daily Breeze reported that one employee, William Pineda, when asked about his involvement in the L.A. mayor's race, said, "Are you sure you got the right number?"
The paper also reported that another employee expressed confusion about how her donation was recorded.
It is not illegal for multiple employees of one company to donate to a political candidate, but it is illegal for anyone to reimburse employees for their donations.
Or to donate in someone elses name. Sounds like the company cut a check to Villaraigosa from each employee then paid the employee back.
Very illegal. But like all politicans it will just get lost in the hub-bub.
oh I am sure the employees didn't know anything about the donations, in fact I am sure they are a little angry about it, I know I would be.
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