A California election monitor has dismissed a complaint that accused Chinese developer Wanda Group of illegally funneling foreign money into an effort to quash a rival Beverly Hills condo proposal on November’s ballot. The decision from the Fair Political Practices Commission is the latest twist in a development battle that’s pitted developer and Beverly Hilton owner Beny Alagem against a builder controlled by Wang Jianlin, the richest man in China. At issue, is a $1.2 million contribution from Lakeshore East Parcel P LLC, a Wanda entity behind a $1-billion hotel-condominium project in Chicago. Unite Here alleged that Lakeshore East had no reason to get involved in the Beverly Hills ballot measure except as a proxy for Beijing-based Wanda, which wouldn’t want to see the rival project built. A spokesman for Wanda had denied there was any foreign money or control involved in the campaign against the Hilton project.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 07, 2016 20:20 UTC