Judge Lets Stand Charges Against Hyundai Official

A federal judge in Los Angeles refused Monday to dismiss criminal charges against the controller of Hyundai Motor America, who is accused of laundering illegal corporate contributions to Rep. Jay C. Kim (R-Diamond Bar).

Hyundai executive Paul Koh, 40, is scheduled to go on trial May 21 on felony charges of conspiracy and causing the Kim campaign committee to file false statements to the Federal Election Commission.

Koh’s lawyers argued unsuccessfully that the commission was improperly constituted when the campaign contributions were made in 1992, that the alleged violations should have been tried as misdemeanors for which the statute of limitations has expired, and that Koh’s due process rights were violated because of unreasonable delay in bringing the charges.

Judge Richard Paez said those arguments were not supported by most appellate court rulings. He put off until next week a hearing on a defense motion to introduce evidence that the Kim campaign knew it was receiving illegal campaign contributions. The defense wants to call Kim and his wife, June, as witnesses. But the government has balked, contending such testimony would distract the jury from focusing on Koh’s conduct.

In December, Hyundai pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and paid a $600,000 fine for contributing $4,500 to Kim’s campaign in a scheme allegedly arranged by Koh. Corporations are barred from contributing to federal election campaigns.