Executive admits making Dole contribution

Prosecutors filed the charges Friday against Ray Norvell, vice president in charge of Nevada operations for one of the state's largest liquor distributors, after reaching a plea agreement with him.

Norvell, 51, pleaded guilty to one count of making an illegal campaign contribution and one count of unlawfully causing the name of another person to be used in connection with a campaign contribution.

He admitted making a $1,000 donation in May 1995 to Dole's campaign. He also admitted causing his wife, four DeLuca managers and their spouses to make separate $1,000 donations to the campaign.

Norvell then had the Las Vegas-based company reimburse him and the other contributors, court documents said.

Company records were subpoenaed in July as part of a Senate investigation that ended in December.

Federal law prohibits corporations from making contributions in connection with the nomination and election of candidates for federal office. It also prohibits a person or corporation from making a contribution in another person's name.

Norvell will likely be fined $100,000 and be given one year of probation when he is sentenced on Sept. 11.

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