Riverside County ‘Potato Baron’ Indicted For Campaign Fund Laundering

I didn’t call him a “potato baron,” hence the quotes in the headline. I never knew such a thing existed. Purveyors of spuds don’t usually spark associations with barony.  The descriptor of James Larry Minor is taken from a press release by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who allegedly unearthed ill deeds blighting the fertile soil of Riverside County. Hence the indictment.

According to the Harris press release, Minor, 70, illegally donated nearly $40,000 to the Jeff Stone for State Senate Campaign in 2009. Minor, of San Jacinto,  is also accused of perjury and filing a false statement in connection with his donations to the Committee to Elect Brenda Salas for State Assembly Campaign in 2006. In both cases, Minor allegedly donated tens of thousands more than he legally was allowed to, by donating under the names of other people.

From the press release: “Minor is owner of Agri-Empire Corp. in San Jacinto, which ships millions of potatoes destined for fast food restaurants and family kitchens to supermarkets and brokers across the nation. Its predecessor, San Jacinto Packing Company, was founded by the Minor family in 1943 with an $800 loan.”

Minor is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.  in Department 52 of Riverside County Superior Court. The indictment charges him with conspiracy to violate the state Political Reform Act by donating money in the name of another, committing perjury, and filing a false document.

Here’s an account of the indictment from Southwest Riverside News Network.

Here’s one from the Los Angeles Times.

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(DISCLAIMER: This post does not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, the North County Times).