A federal grand jury indictment unsealed on Oct. 19 accuses a former California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control officials of allegedly accepting thousands of dollars in bribes from a consultant in exchange for initiating ABC enforcement actions designed to generate consulting fees.

The two men charged in the corruption scheme are Wilbur M. Salao, 46, of Bellflower, a 21-year ABC employee who was a district administrator in the Los Angeles Metro ABC office from 2010 until he left the agency in May 2017; and Scott Seo, also known as “Seung Hye Seo” and “Scott Hoon Seo,” 49, of San Pedro, who was employed by the ABC for 15 years before starting a consulting business, Alcoholic Beverage Control LLC, in 2006.

The 13-count indictment was unsealed when Salao was arraigned in United States District Court. Salao entered a not guilty plea, was released on a $20,000 bond and was ordered to stand trial on Dec. 11 before United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt.

Seo surrendered on Oct. 18 and also pleaded not guilty. He was released on a $20,000 bond.

The indictment specifically alleges that Seo paid Salao over $28,000 in bribes and kickbacks from the beginning of 2014 through the spring of 2016. In exchange for the payments, Salao allegedly performed official acts, including directing ABC enforcement operations and disciplinary actions against businesses selected by Seo, sharing non-public information with Seo, revealing confidential law enforcement activities in Koreatown, and expediting the licensing process for Seo’s clients.

Seo has operated ABC LLC over the past 13 years, marketing his services through various means in Koreatown, a neighborhood located in the 10th Council District. As part of the scheme, Seo targeted Koreatown businesses for ABC enforcement actions, which allowed Seo to sign new clients, generate consulting fees from existing clients and attempt to force a business to sell its establishment to Seo and his associates, the indictment alleges.

The indictment outlines a series of official acts allegedly taken by Salao that implicate at least eight businesses in Koreatown and were designed to benefit Seo’s consulting business. For example, in late 2011, after the ABC raided a Koreatown establishment, Seo charged the business $60,000 in cash, some of which was used to pay Salao, who issued a temporary license that allowed the establishment to continue operating.

Between 2014 and 2016, Seo allegedly sent Salao lists of businesses for the ABC to target, which included suggested violations, such as operating after hours. In communications between the two men outlined in the indictment, they discussed how Salao would provide benefits to Seo’s clients and would impose more severe penalties on businesses that did not utilize his services.

Additionally, Salao learned of impending enforcement actions by the ABC and the Los Angeles Police Department in Koreatown and provided information to Seo, including a photo of an undercover LAPD officer. This information allowed Seo to warn his clients and shield their illegal activity from police.

Salao and Seo are charged in the indictment with conspiracy, four counts of mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Seo is charged additionally with four counts of bribery.

If convicted, Seo faces a statutory maximum sentence of 205 years in federal prison, and Salao faces up to 164 years.

Anyone with knowledge about the case – or who would like to report similar allegations of corruption by public officials – is encouraged to call the FBI at (310)477-6565.