LOS ANGELES - Federal prosecutors describe George Torres as a discount don who murdered his rivals, intimidated his employees and bribed public officials to expand his supermarket chain.
Torres, owner of 11 Numero Uno markets in poor Los Angeles neighborhoods, pleaded not guilty Monday was ordered held without bail in a case that also implicates former civic officials. He is charged with racketeering, tax evasion and fraud.
Torres' alleged confederates, including brother Manuel Torres-Ramos, 53; son Steven Torres, 26; George Luk, 58, a member of the Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center Authority Commission; and Steven Carmona, 39, a former member of the Los Angeles Central Area Planning Commission, also pleaded not guilty. Manuel Torres-Ramos also remained locked up.
The 59-count federal indictment accuses Torres, 50, of ordering hits on rivals, bribing public officials who could help him get liquor licenses, staffing stores with illegal immigrants fearful of asking for raises, and moving and storing stolen meat, produce and Tang breakfast drink.
George Torres' lawyer Brian Sun denied the charges.
"This is much ado about nothing," he said before the arraignment.......
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