5 Former California Execs Indicted in Grocery Store Bribery Case

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Five former California executives and a salesperson for a Napa winery have been indicted on federal charges stemming from a sprawling grocery store bribery case. Prosecutors allege the group conspired to get certain alcohol products onto grocery store shelves in exchange for opulent vacations, trips to Vegas, designer handbags, and other lavish gifts.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of bribery and corruption in the grocery retail industry, where manufacturers and distributors allegedly try to influence product placement and promotion through underhanded means rather than fair competition. It also raises questions about the role of middlemen distributors in the alcohol supply chain and whether more oversight is needed.

The details

Investigators were first tipped off to the alleged scheme in 2018 when they learned prepaid gift cards were being used by alcohol industry employees to pay out bribes. The five indicted executives worked for Southern Glazer's, the largest alcohol distributor in the U.S. They allegedly conspired with Patrick Briones, the lead wine buyer for Albertsons' Southern California grocery stores, to determine which new alcohol products would need to pay bribes in order to get better distribution. The bribes ranged from designer watches and suits to a $16,000 vacation to Maui, all obscured through fake expense reports.

• The alleged scheme was first uncovered by investigators in 2018.
• Briones worked as the lead wine buyer for Albertsons' Southern California stores from 2017 to 2024.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The defendants are due back in federal court on March 25 for the next hearing in the case.