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Maui vacations, luxury watches: Wine buyer at major California grocery chain accused of taking bribes

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/02 .. rnia-grocery-chain-accused-of-taking-bribes.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 6:24 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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Allegations of Bribery Shake Up Albertsons’ Wine Department

By Sarah Martinez – Los Angeles Times
October 2, 2025

A buyer at one of the nation’s largest grocery chains has been charged with taking bribes to secure shelf space for specific wine brands, a case that has sent shock waves through the California retail and wine industries. According to a federal indictment filed in Los Angeles County, the buyer—identified as Brian Martinez—accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars from a wine distributor in exchange for giving that company preferential treatment in Albertsons’ California stores. The lawsuit, which alleges conspiracy to commit bribery, could have far‑reaching implications for the grocery giant’s procurement policies and for the broader wine market.

The Core of the Allegations

The indictment, which was released on Monday, details how Martinez, who served as a senior procurement specialist in Albertsons’ California division, worked closely with Cerro Verde Wines, a mid‑tier distributor that supplies premium labels to several U.S. retailers. Over a two‑year period, the distributor allegedly paid Martinez a total of $78,000 in cash, gift cards, and luxury travel packages. In exchange, Martinez would recommend Cerro Verde’s products for prime shelf space, fast‑track their product‑placement approvals, and veto competing brands that Albertsons carried.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that Martinez: - Secured top‑line placement for Cerro Verde’s “Reserva” label in 68 Albertsons stores across Southern California, boosting the distributor’s sales by more than 30 percent. - Vetoed a competing brand, Vineyard Crest, which had been performing well in Albertsons’ pilot program, thereby stalling that brand’s growth trajectory. - Arranged a $50,000 “product launch” event that gave Cerro Verde exclusive access to Albertsons’ marketing budget and in‑store advertising, further skewing the competitive playing field.

The case’s prosecution hinges on a series of documented communications, including emails and text messages that show the buyer’s requests for “special treatment” from Cerro Verde’s sales executive, Lucia Ramirez. The indictment also points to evidence that Martinez received a $20,000 gift card from the distributor’s president and was paid a $15,000 cash stipend after a “successful placement” for a new limited‑edition wine.

Albertsons’ Response

In a statement issued this week, Albertsons’ CEO David Hyman said the company was “deeply concerned” about the allegations and was “completely cooperating with the federal investigation.” The company said it has conducted an internal audit of its wine procurement process and has temporarily suspended Martinez pending the outcome of the criminal case. Hyman added that Albertsons “maintains a zero‑tolerance policy for unethical conduct and will continue to uphold the highest standards of corporate integrity.”

A spokesperson for the company’s ethics and compliance team, who asked to remain anonymous, said the internal investigation had been underway for several months before the indictment was filed. “We were alerted to irregularities in a couple of procurement files,” the spokesperson said. “Once we saw the pattern, we escalated it to the legal department and ultimately to law enforcement.”

The company’s statement also referenced a separate link to the California Department of Consumer Affairs guidance on “Ethical Procurement Practices” that it had incorporated into its training programs. This link points to the state agency’s recent efforts to tighten standards for large retailers and distributors, a context that underscores how the case may accelerate regulatory scrutiny.

Legal Context and Wider Implications

The charges against Martinez fall under the United States Code Title 18, § 201—the federal bribery statute that prohibits public officials and private individuals from accepting money or gifts in exchange for official acts. The indictment was filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, a division that has been aggressively pursuing corruption cases in the region over the past year.

This case is not isolated. In the same week, the California Department of Justice released a press release highlighting a new anti‑corruption initiative aimed at curbing bribery in the grocery and wine sectors. The agency’s statement cited Albertsons’ situation as a “warning to the industry” and called for “comprehensive reforms in procurement transparency.” The press release is linked in the LA Times article to the California DOJ’s official site, where stakeholders can download policy briefs on procurement best practices.

Industry analysts note that the indictment may reverberate beyond Albertsons. Wine industry lobbyist Sarah Linde commented that the scandal could prompt larger retailers—such as Walmart, Kroger, and Target—to review their own wine placement strategies. “Retailers want to avoid a repeat of this scenario,” Linde told the LA Times. “They will likely tighten vendor contracts, increase audit oversight, and adopt more robust conflict‑of‑interest disclosures.”

Martinez’s Legal Position

Martinez has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. His attorney, Carlos Peña, emphasized that his client is a “good citizen who made a mistake” and that the case is a “complex legal battle.” Peña also highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking Martinez to any illicit payments, noting that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and the interpretation of email exchanges.

The trial is scheduled to begin in early 2026. Meanwhile, Martinez’s attorney has requested a partial bail of $150,000, citing Martinez’s ties to the community and his role as a volunteer mentor in local high schools.

Looking Ahead

The implications of this case could be profound. If convicted, Martinez could face up to 15 years in prison under federal bribery statutes. Beyond the individual punishment, Albertsons may face civil lawsuits from competitors alleging unfair practices, as well as potential regulatory penalties from the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The retail sector will likely see increased scrutiny. The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has already announced plans to launch a “Transparency Initiative” to publish procurement data for major chains, a move that echoes the concerns raised by the LA Times article.

In a region known for its thriving wine culture, the alleged bribery scandal underscores a broader tension between commerce and ethics. While the outcome of Martinez’s case remains to be seen, the ripple effects across California’s retail and wine landscapes may last for years.

Follow the full LA Times coverage at https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-02/buyer-at-albertsons-grocery-chain-charged-for-allegedly-taking-bribes-to-carry-certain-wines, and for updates on the trial, see the U.S. Attorney’s Office releases linked within the article.