LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The California Fair Political Practices Commission has launched an investigation into a nonprofit's donations to Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León's reelection campaign, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
An anonymous written complaint to the agency alleged the contributions from World Harvest Family and Charity Services may have violated a state law against `pay to play' schemes or so-called "money laundering," the Times said.
World Harvest has a $1.91 million city contract, granted through de León's office, to distribute food to homebound seniors and low-income families in the councilman's district, which includes Boyle Heights, Downtown Los Angeles and parts of Northeast Los Angeles.
On Friday, World Harvest was among the organizations honored by the Los Angeles City Council for helping to reduce local food insecurity.
The councilman has also appeared at food giveaway events with World Harvest representatives and is prominently featured in its outreach efforts.
The November complaint alleges de León received $6,900 in contributions from the wife and daughter of World Harvest founder and CEO Glen Curado and seven employees, the Times reported.
The state commission sent a letter to de León and his reelection committee in November informing him of the allegations and inviting him to respond, the Times report said.
David Meraz, a campaign consultant for de León, told the Times his client has not done anything wrong regarding the contributions.
"Our campaign has always been transparent and in full compliance with the law regarding donations," Meraz said.
Curado told the newspaper the investigation was "stupid" and that no one from the state agency had reached out to him.
"Money laundering -- are you kidding?" Curado told the Times. "We like [de León], and the people gave him some money."
The councilman, who was elected to the City Council in 2020, is seeking a second term in the Nov. 5 General Election against challenger Ysabel Jurado, a tenant rights attorney who placed first in the March primary.
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