LOS ANGELES—A real estate developer was found guilty on June 27 of paying a $500,000 bribe to then-Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar in order to “grease the wheels” for the approval of a downtown condominium project.
Dae Yong “David” Lee, 57, of Bel Air, was the first defendant to go on trial in the City Hall corruption scandal surrounding Huizar and his associates.
Lee and his 940 Hill company—named for the address of the proposed downtown retail and residential project—were convicted of bribery, honest services fraud, and obstruction.
U.S. District Judge John Walter scheduled a Sept. 19 sentencing hearing, at which time Lee will face up to 40 years in federal prison for the fraud and obstruction counts, and up to 10 years for bribery. His company faces a fine of $1.5 million or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offense….