Friday, Jan. 09, 2009

Bronco CEO Franzia's bid for pardon goes flat

Wanted to 'clear name' in 1993 grape fraud case

WASHINGTON -- California winemaker Fred T. Franzia sought a presidential pardon in hopes of wiping the slate clean from an old grape fraud case for which he paid a $500,000 fine and served five years on probation.

Franzia failed. The Justice Department rejected his pardon application Dec. 23, according to information obtained by McClatchy Newspapers through the Freedom of Information Act. While ultimately unsuccessful, Franzia's aggressive clemency campaign offers a case study in how some try to navigate the pardon process.

The chief executive officer of the Bronco Wine Co. of Ceres rallied congressional support for his pardon bid. He hired one of the nation's most experienced clemency attorneys. One of his champions called President George W. Bush's top lawyer to press the case.

"He'd like to clear his name," said Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, who tried to help Franzia.

Franzia, through a spokesman, declined to comment on the pardon application and its resolution.

Franzia most recently is known as the progenitor of "Two Buck Chuck," an inexpensive wine sold at Trader Joe's stores under the Charles Shaw label. Bronco is the nation's fourth-largest wine company, offering generally low-cost wines under multiple labels such as Forest Glen.

The 65-year-old Franzia has been one of the most colorful, and at times controversial, figures in the U.S. wine industry.

In December 1993, capping a long investigation, Franzia pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to defraud. As part of the same case, Bronco as a corporation pleaded no contest and paid a $2.5 million fine. Five other people caught up in the same case went to prison.

The conspiracy involved selling cheap grapes while calling them zinfandel. The indictment said Franzia had directed employees to sprinkle zinfandel grapes on top of a load of cheaper grapes. According to the indictment, Franzia called this "blessing the loads." It helped turn a profit: Zinfandel grapes were selling for $800 to $1,200 a ton. The cheaper grapes were selling for $100 to $200 a ton.

'I'll pound these guys'

Franzia had to step down temporarily as Bronco's president, though he remained the company's finance chief. He's long since returned to head Bronco, but the grape fraud case remains a topic of conversation among Napa Valley winemakers, with whom Franzia periodically feuds.

"In 10 years, you'll be astounded how few wineries will still be profitable and be in business," Franzia said in 2006. "Bet on me. I'll pound these guys."

In search of his presidential pardon, according to information obtained through a FOIA request, Franzia hired Washington-based attorney Margaret Colgate Love. The highly regarded Love served as the U.S. pardon attorney from 1990 to 1997, screening all clemency applications.

Such high-level assistance sometimes helps what can be a long-shot bid. From 2006 to 2008, 1,143 pardon applications were received by the Justice Department; only 99 pardons were granted.

Love didn't return calls or e-mails seeking comment.

Several months ago, Radanovich said, Franzia requested a letter of recommendation. Radanovich provided one. Radanovich said he also called White House Counsel Fred Fielding on behalf of Franzia, whom he's known for many years.

"He broke the law; he knows he did," Radanovich said. "But he's paid the price, and he has remorse."

Not allowed to own a gun

Radanovich added that Franzia indicated "he'd like to own a gun," which is one of the rights that could be restored by a presidential pardon.

Franzia contributed $1,000 to Radanovich's campaign committee in September. He's made previous campaign contributions to Radanovich throughout the years, as well as to other members of Congress.

The 23-page pardon application requires three letters of recommendation or character affidavits. It asks whether the applicant has ever abused alcohol or been named in lawsuits. It also asks for a list of charitable activities and for a reason why the president should forgive the crime. Bee Washington Bureau reporter Michael Doyle can be reached at mdoyle@mcclatchydc.com or 202-383-0006.