The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating donations received from Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon’s re-election campaign.

The investigation involved a nonprofit organization that distributes food to homebound seniors and low-income families in De Leon’s East Side neighborhood under a contract with the city of De Leon, the FPPC reported in November of last year. stemming from the charges detailed in an anonymous complaint filed in .

The complaint alleges potential violations include donations to Mr. de Leon’s campaign from the nonprofit’s employees and the founder’s wife and daughter. State Law This is intended to prevent “pay-to-play practices.”

Section 84308 of the Political Reform Act prohibits anyone doing business with a government agency from making contributions of more than $250 to employees of that agency. It would also bar elected officials from making decisions in certain cases if they received more than $250 from a party to the case in the past 12 months. The agency also cannot accept contributions of more than $250 from litigants for 12 months after the decision.

According to the Los Angeles Ethics Commission website, Mr. de Leon’s campaign will receive a total of 6,900 loans during the 2023-2024 election period from seven people who work at the nonprofit organization World Harvest Family and Charity Services. He said he received a dollar donation. In addition, the founder’s wife and daughter each contributed $1,800.

The complaint alleges that the donations may have been “bundled,” a term used when individuals collect campaign contributions from other donors.

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

Restores his image after his food giveaway event featuring World Harvest featured a recorded conversation between him and three other political leaders that included racist and crude remarks It is an important part.

He is embroiled in a bitter battle with challenger Isabel Jurado, a tenant rights lawyer who came in first place in the March primary to represent Los Angeles’ Downtown and Eastside neighborhoods. The election is November 5th.

De León’s election consultant, David Meraz, denied any wrongdoing.

“Our campaign has always been transparent and fully compliant with donation laws,” Meraz said.

World Harvest founder and CEO Glenn Curard called the FPPC investigation “stupid” and said no state officials had contacted him.

He said he did not ask his employees to contribute to Mr. de Leon’s campaign. Curado said they did so on their own because they knew the council members through their work with World Harvest.

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

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

FPPC sent a letter to Mr. de Leon and the re-election committee in November 2023 informing them of the allegations and requesting information and documentation.

On April 25, the commission notified Mr. de Leon and the re-election committee that the commission’s enforcement arm had begun an investigation.

Spokesman Jay Wierenga said the commission does not comment on unresolved cases. He said the commission will decide whether to investigate further after conducting an initial review of the complaint.

On the commission’s online portal, the violations under investigation are listed as “laundered campaign contributions.”

“Money laundering, are you kidding me?” Curado said. “We like [De León]And people gave him some money. ”

In May 2023, seven months after audio of the racist conversation was leaked, de Leon signed a $480,000 contract with World Harvest. Because he used district discretionary funds, the contract did not have to be approved by the City Council.

During the weekly food giveaway, de Leon’s photo was placed on World Harvest trucks delivering groceries and on blue tote bags handed out to residents.

Alicia Romero, secretary of World Harvest, which signed the city contract, joined De Leon’s camp on Sept. 25, 2023, according to the city Ethics Commission’s website. Donated $1,000 and $900 on May 27, 2024. The donation lists her as a “Manager of World Harvest Food Bank” or “Warehouse Manager.”

The campaign returned $100 to Romero on September 28, 2023, and an additional $900 last month.

Mr. Curado said he was told by a representative from the de Leon campaign that Mr. Romero could not donate because he was considered an “officer” of the nonprofit organization.

Under the city’s ethics law, some officials are prohibited from accepting donations from high-ranking officials of companies that have large contracts with the city.

“We issued the refund to comply with city and state law,” said Meraz, de Leon’s campaign consultant.

Other donors listed as World Harvest employees include Branden Culard, who donated $900 on September 25, 2023, $900 in June 2024; They included $900 and Scott Culard, who donated $400 on May 28, 2024. Go to the Urban Ethics website.

Jessenia Ramirez, who is listed as the nonprofit’s vice president of community support, donated $900 on September 25, 2023.

Glenn Curard’s wife, Claudia Curard, who is listed as a housewife, donated a total of $1,800 over three days: September 25, 2023, May 27, 2024, and June 30, 2024. His daughter, Nicole Culard, also donated a total of $1,800 the next day. Sept. 29, 2023 and June 30, 2024, according to the city ethics website.

Times staff writer David Zahnizer contributed to this report.