PAY_TO_PLAY_ANALYSIS
├─ politician Robert Garcia (D-CA-42)
├─ total_fec_donations 1,916
├─ total_donation_amount $623K
├─ total_earmarks 71
├─ total_earmark_amount $211.70M
├─ linked_donations $52K
├─ linked_earmarks $101.40M
└─ fraud_investigation ACTIVE (Shangri-La Industries)
Earmark Volume: #1 in Congress
Garcia has requested more individual earmarks than any other member of Congress in our database.
71
Garcia earmarks
34.9
Avg congressman
2x
Above average count
#1
Rank by count
Active Federal Fraud Investigation
Shangri-La Industries, which donated $14K to Rep. Garcia, is currently under federal investigation for a $160.00M fraud scheme.
CFO Cody Holmes was arrested in October 2025 for submitting fake bank records to obtain $117.00M in California Homekey homeless housing grants. Holmes allegedly used grant money for a $46,000/month Beverly Hills mansion and luxury purchases.
Garcia received $14K from Shangri-La executives. Shangri-La is headquartered in Long Beach (Garcia's district) at 442 W Ocean Blvd. Garcia directed $41.70M in Long Beach area construction earmarks - potential contract opportunities for the developer.
Robert Garcia
Democrat, CA-42 (Long Beach area)
Donor-to-Earmark Connections Summary
| Connection | Type | Donations | Related Earmarks | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shangri-La IndustriesFRAUD INVESTIGATION | Developer (Under Federal Investigation) | $14K | $41.70M | 2937:1 |
| Townsend Public Affairs | Lobbyist | $7K | $24.00M | 3636:1 |
| CSULB Executives | University Administration | $3K | $9.60M | 2954:1 |
| Long Beach CC Executives | Community College Administration | $750 | $5.00M | 6667:1 |
| Prima Waste Management | Municipal Contractor | $6K | $17.60M | 3200:1 |
| Real Estate Developers | Property Development | $22K | $3.50M | 163:1 |
| Total Linked | $52K | $101.40M | 1958:1 | |
Ratio shows earmark dollars per donation dollar. High ratios may indicate effective lobbying or concerning influence patterns.
Detailed Donor Breakdown
Shangri-La Industries
Developer (Under Federal Investigation)
$14K
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
Long Beach area construction (Shangri-La HQ: 442 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach)
$41.70M
Townsend Public Affairs
Lobbyist
$7K
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
Client earmarks (City of Long Beach, Long Beach CC)
$24.00M
CSULB Executives
University Administration
$3K
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
CSULB projects
$9.60M
Long Beach CC Executives
Community College Administration
$750
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
LBCC projects
$5.00M
Prima Waste Management
Municipal Contractor
$6K
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
Sewer infrastructure (potential subcontracting)
$17.60M
Real Estate Developers
Property Development
$22K
in donations
DONORS
RELATED EARMARKS
Housing earmarks
$3.50M
Shangri-La Industries Fraud Case
LONG BEACH CONNECTION
Headquarters: 442 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 (Garcia's district)
Known LB Projects: Sonata Modern Flats (207 Seaside Way)
State Housing Grants: $114.00M (before fraud collapse)
FRAUD SCHEME
Total Fraud: $160.00M
Grants Obtained: $117.00M
Program: California Homekey homeless housing grants
Arrest Date: October 2025
ALLEGATION
Submitting fake bank records to obtain grants
CFO EXPENDITURES
- Beverly Hills mansion: $46,000/month
- Luxury goods and personal expenses
DONATIONS TO GARCIA FROM SHANGRI-LA
Abdul-Wahab
CEO
$7K
Wahab
Attorney
$3K
Modrzejewski
Development Manager
$3K
Modrzejewski
Director
$1K
Shangri-La Political Donation Network
Garcia is one of many politicians who received donations from Shangri-La executives. The company donated to officials at every level who approved or could influence their $114M in state grants.
FEDERAL (GARCIA)
$41.7M in Long Beach area earmarks
LA COUNTY SUPERVISORS (Voted to approve TEFRA funding)
2014-2020
2022
2024
2018
2016
OTHER OFFICIALS
LA County Sheriff
Disbanded Public Corruption Unit after election
LA City Council
Council approval
STATE LEVEL (Grant administration)
Total known Shangri-La political donations: ~$31,000+ to local/county officials, plus $14,200 to Garcia (federal). All five LA County Supervisors who voted to approve funding received donations. Sheriff Luna disbanded the Public Corruption Unit after receiving $4,500.
Important Context
Campaign donations do not prove quid pro quo or corruption. Earmarks go through official congressional processes. Many donors support politicians who share their policy priorities. This analysis documents publicly available connections between donors and earmarks. Rep. Garcia has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Sources
- DOJ Press Release- Criminal charges announcement
- LA Downtown News- Detailed reporting on CFO arrest
- The Current Report- Political donation analysis
- ABC7- Developer fraud charges coverage
- Daily News- CFO accused of looting $40M
- The Current Report (Political Network)- Sheriff Luna and Board of Supervisors donations
- RealClearInvestigations- Newsom Homekey program fraud analysis
Donation data from FEC filings. Earmark data from congressional appropriations records. Found an error? Submit a correction.