Report: Ex-LA Coliseum Events Manager Had Lucrative Side Deals

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former events manager for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission reportedly made tens of thousands of dollars in side deals with companies that used the stadium or adjacent Sports Arena.

The Los Angeles Times says records and interviews show that Todd DeStefano's personal companies received private payments of more than $10,000 each from Coca-Cola, the TV show "American Gladiator" and other businesses.

His companies paid him more than $100,000 last year.

The Times says that for years DeStefano also was guaranteed a 10 percent cut of contracts between the commission and companies that advertised at or shot movies, TV programs and commercials at the Coliseum and Sports Arena.

DeStefano, who quit the commission in January, has denied wrongdoing but remains under state and local investigation.

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