Former Alcohol Distributor Executives Charged in Bribery Scheme

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A federal grand jury has indicted five former California executives of the nation's largest alcohol distributor, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, for their alleged roles in a years-long bribery and obstruction scheme involving grocery store employees. The indictment also charges an Idaho-based winery salesman with bribing a grocery store's head alcohol buyer.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing problem of corruption and bribery in the alcohol distribution industry, where large companies allegedly try to gain an unfair advantage by paying off grocery store buyers. It also raises questions about oversight and accountability in the highly consolidated alcohol distribution market.

The details

According to the indictment, the former Southern Glazer's employees - Michael Dehdashtian, Ryan Dow, Stephen Magliocco, Loratina Muscara, and Adrian Ruiz - allegedly bribed grocery store employees to increase purchases of certain alcohol brands. They tried to conceal the bribes by having approved vendors issue false invoices for things like prepaid gift cards, luxury watches, and golf trips.

• The alleged scheme took place between 2016 and 2024.
• The former Southern Glazer's employees and the winery salesman are scheduled to appear in federal court on March 25.

What’s next

The defendants charged in the indictment are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court in Oakland on March 25.