A state watchdog agency is investigating donations to Kevin de Leon’s re-election campaign

The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating campaign donations received by Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon.

The investigation was prompted by allegations detailed in an anonymous complaint filed with the FPPC last November about the nonprofit, which distributes meals to seniors and low-income families in De Leon’s Eastside neighborhood under a city contract.

The complaint alleged that contributions to De Leon’s campaign from employees of the nonprofit, as well as the wife and daughter of its founder, could violate state law which aims to prevent “pay-to-play practices”.

Section 84308 of the Political Reform Act prohibits individuals dealing with a government agency from making contributions of more than $250 to an official of that agency. It also bars elected officials from ruling on certain cases if they have received more than $250 from a party in the case in the past 12 months. Officials also cannot accept contributions from parties in a case in excess of $250 for 12 months after a decision is made.

De Leon’s campaign accepted $6,900 in donations during the 2023-2024 election season from seven people who work at the nonprofit World Harvest Family and Charity Services, according to the Los Angeles County Ethics Commission website. In addition, the founder’s wife and daughter gave $1,800 each.

The complaint alleged that the donations may have been “pooled,” a term for when an individual collects campaign contributions from other donors.

In May 2023, De Leon signed a $480,000 contract with World Harvest, increasing the amount to $1.91 million in February.

His World Harvest food drives have become a key part of rehabilitating his image recording is made him and three other political leaders in a conversation that contained racist and crude remarks.

It is locked hot fight with challenger Isabel Jurado, a tenant rights attorney who came in first in the March primary to represent districts in downtown Los Angeles and the Eastside. Elections on November 5.

David Meraz, a campaign consultant for De Leon, denied any wrongdoing.

“Our campaign has always been transparent and fully compliant with the law regarding donations,” Meraz said.

Glen Curado, founder and CEO of World Harvest, called the FPPC investigation “stupid” and said no one from the state agency had contacted him.

He said he did not ask his staff to contribute to De Leon’s campaign. They did it on their own, Curado said, because they knew the board member through his work with World Harvest.

Curado said he asked his wife and daughter, “Do you want to support Kevin?” And they said, “Sure.”

Curado and World Harvest were among several groups honored by the Los Angeles City Council on Friday for their work to reduce food insecurity.

In November 2023, the FPPC sent a letter to De León and his re-election committee informing him of the allegations and requesting information and documents.

On April 25, the commission notified De Leon and his re-election commission that its law enforcement division had opened an investigation.

The commission does not comment on open cases, spokesman Jay Wierenga said. According to him, the commission first examines the complaint and then decides whether to conduct further investigation.

The commission’s online portal lists the violation under investigation as “laundered campaign contributions.”

“Money Laundering – Are You Kidding Me?” Curado said. “We like (De Leon) and people gave him some money.”

In May 2023, seven months after the audio recording of the racist rant was leaked, De Leon signed a $480,000 contract with World Harvest. He used his district discretionary funds, so the contract did not require the approval of the city council.

on weekly food giveawaysDe Leon’s photo was plastered on the World Harvest truck that delivered the food, as well as on the blue bags given to residents.

Alicia Romero, the World Harvest secretary who signed the city contract, gave $1,000 to De Leon’s campaign on Sept. 25, 2023, and $900 on May 27, 2024, according to the city’s ethics commission website. In donations, she is listed as “Manager, World Harvest Food Bank” or “Warehouse Manager.”

The campaign refunded Romero $100 on September 28, 2023, and returned another $900 last month.

Curado said a representative from De Leon’s campaign told him Romero could not donate because she was considered an “officer” of the nonprofit.

Under the city’s ethics laws, some officials are prohibited from accepting donations from senior officials of companies that have large contracts with the city.

“We returned the money in accordance with city and state laws,” said Meraz, a consultant to De Leon’s campaign.

Other donors listed as World Harvest employees included Branden Curado, who gave $900 on September 25, 2023 and $900 in June 2024, and Scott Curado, who gave $900 on September 25, 2023 and $400 on May 28, 2024. to the site of urban ethics.

On September 25, 2023, Yesenia Ramirez, the nonprofit’s vice president of public affairs, donated $900.

Glen Curado’s wife, Claudia Curado, listed as a homemaker, made donations totaling $1,800 on three dates: September 25, 2023, May 27, 2024, and June 30, 2024. Her daughter, Nicole Curado, also donated $1,800 on Sept. 29, 2023, and June 30, 2024, according to the city’s ethics website.

The Times’ David Zaniser contributed to this report.