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Southern California Better Business Bureau expelled from national organization
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 13: A man carries a shopping bag in a Uniqlo store in Manhattan on February 13, 2013 in New York City. The Commerce Department reported that retail sales were only up slightly in January following tax increases and high gas prices. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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Mario Tama/Getty Images
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The Better Business Bureau has expelled its Southern California chapter after an investigation into an apparent pay-to-play scandal.
The Virginia-based consumer protection group announced Tuesday that BBB of the Southland, the nation's largest chapter, lost its right to use the BBB name and logo.
The chapter's chairman notified the national office last week that the chapter was resigning but he also denied there were widespread problems.
An ABC-TV investigation two years ago found the Los Angeles-area chapter gave the Hamas militant organization an A-minus after a blogger submitted its name and paid hundreds of dollars in memberships.
That probe also cited other business owners, including celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, as saying they were told they must become members to receive high marks.
The national group says it will serve the L.A. market.
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