Hahn testifies in pay-to-play case

In his first testimony in a case stemming from a City Hall "pay-to-play" corruption scandal during his administration, former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn said Wednesday that longtime friend and former Airports Commissioner Leland Wong never told him he was accepting money from a company he also was negotiating with on a 2002 trip to Asia. Beth Barrett in the Daily News.

Hahn, looking tanned and trim in a well-tailored suit, was called by prosecutors who allege that Wong exchanged his influence for a $100,000 bribe from Evergreen Group.

Wong has pleaded not guilty to 21 felony counts, including conflict of interest, perjury and embezzlement from an employer.

Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman showed Hahn a Nov. 22, 2002, letter in Wong's handwriting addressed to former Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards asking for improved lease terms for Evergreen Marine at the port.