Business News - Not bribes, consulting fees, attorney says

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Not bribes, consulting fees, attorney says

LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Prosecutors in Los Angeles say former city official Leland Wong was paid to exert his influence on behalf of a company negotiating a lease with the city.

Leland Wong was "being paid for results," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman said.

Wong allegedly accepted $100,000 in $5,000 monthly payments from a Evergreen Group, a Taipei, Taiwan, company negotiating with a lease with the Port of Los Angeles more than four years ago, the Los Angeles Times reported.

But, Wong's attorney, Jeffrey Rutherford said his client was being unfairly singled out.

Wong, a former member of the city's airport commission and water and power panel, disclosed his dealings with the company in public filings in 2002, Rutherford said.

Rutherford said the payments were consulting fees and such arrangements were not uncommon at City Hall.

"This is not something he did quietly," Rutherford said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 07/03/2008

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