Asher Schapiro

Officials of Los Angeles County employee unions have forged ahead with a key employee-benefits contract with a New York businessman even though they know he is under indictment in Michigan for federal bribery and racketeering charges, sources said. Asher Schapiro, chairman of Employee Benefit Services Inc., was indicted in July by a federal grand jury in Detroit on 16 counts of conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering.

Officials of Los Angeles County employee unions have forged ahead with a key employee-benefits contract with a New York businessman even though they know he is under indictment in Michigan for federal bribery and racketeering charges, sources said. Asher Schapiro, chairman of Employee Benefit Services Inc., was indicted in July by a federal grand jury in Detroit on 16 counts of conspiracy, racketeering and money laundering.