Firm, 2 Officials Sued Over Contributions to Bradley

The Marriott Corp. and two executives were sued Tuesday by Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn for allegedly making illegal contributions to Mayor Tom Bradley’s 1989 reelection campaign.

The Superior Court lawsuit, an outgrowth of a recently completed city audit of Bradley’s political funds, seeks $14,500 in penalties. It alleges that the huge hotel and food service corporation made improper donations and exceeded the city’s $1,000 political contribution limit.

Marriott donated $1,000 to Bradley in 1987, Hahn said. The firm then reimbursed two executives, Ron Johnson and Clarence Daniels, for a total of $1,500 in contributions they made as individuals in 1988, he said.

“All the defendants violated the law by making donations under names other than the actual donor,” Hahn said.

Daniels and Johnson could not be reached for comment. Nick Hill, a Marriott spokesman, attributed the problem to an “administrative error” and said the corporation will seek to resolve the lawsuit.

Marriott’s food concession division, Host International, holds major bar and cafeteria contracts at the city’s Los Angeles and Ontario international airports. Johnson, who is no longer with Marriott, was president of Host International in Los Angeles at the time of the donations. Daniels, who is in Marriott’s Maryland office, was a Host vice president here.

No evidence was found to indicate that Bradley or his campaign was aware of the allegedly illegal donations, said Deputy City Atty. Ed Fimbres.