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An L.A. Times report has detailed how Vancouver-headquartered developer Onni Group donated $50,000 to a committee linked to an Los Angeles councillor being investigated by the FBI, just weeks before the councillor voted in favour of Onni’s plans to raze a downtown property.

According to the Times report, the California branch of the developer made the donation in September 2018 to Families for a Better Los Angeles, an independent campaign committee with ties to Coun. José Huizar. The committee hosted two fundraisers featuring Huizar last year, while contributors told the Times that the councillor has been an active part of the efforts to raise funds.

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Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

Weeks after the donation was received, Huizar voted against a proposal to designate the downtown L.A. office building – which was built in 1973, designed by William Pereira and now owned by a group of companies that include Onni – a heritage property, paving the way for it to be razed and turned into a pair of high-rise towers.

Huizar represents the downtown L.A. district. He and other L.A. city hall individuals are currently under investigation by the FBI for alleged corruption, and his home was raided by FBI in early November.

Onni Group is headquartered in Vancouver, with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle. Onni, founded by Inno De Cotiis, has developed residential, commercial and rental projects across North America.