A real estate development consultant agreed Wednesday, May 13, to plead guilty to a federal racketeering charge for his role in a wide-ranging “pay-to-play” scheme in which developers bribed a member of the Los Angeles City Council and other officials to help ensure the success of their projects.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said 41-year-old George Chiang of Granada Hills will plead guilty to one count of conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization statute at a date to be determined. The charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years behind bars.
Chiang is the third person to agree to plead guilty in the continuing federal public corruption probe of City Hall.
Political fundraiser Justin Jangwoo Kim agreed in March to plead guilty to a single count of federal program bribery for facilitating a $500,000 cash payment to an unnamed council member.
Former Councilman Mitchell Englander will plead guilty to engaging in a scheme to deceive the FBI, related to his cover up of cash payments and other gifts offered from a Los Angeles businessperson. The 49-year-old Santa Monica resident entered into his plea agreement on March 27.
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https://www.dailynews.com/2020/05/13/consultant-to-plead-guilty-in-l-a-city-hall-pay-to-play-scheme/
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