Casino owner accused of trying to bribe mayor

Monday, Sept. 10, 2001 | 10:41 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- The owner of the non-Indian LA Casino in neighboring Huntington Park has been arrested for allegedly giving a $5,000 bribe to that city's mayor, who was working undercover for the FBI.

Harry Hwang was arrested Thursday. Authorities said he wanted Huntington Park Mayor Richard Loya to have his city forgive past-due fees owed by the casino.

Hwang, 49, was jailed pending a hearing. A message left for his casino's manager was not immediately returned.

If convicted he could face up to 10 years in prison, said U.S. Attorney John S. Gordon.

Loya, who contacted FBI agents in June, told them Hwang had offered to pay off his campaign debts, provide future political contributions and send his family on a vacation to Italy.

At the request of FBI agents, Loya began recording his conversations with Hwang.

archive