While a black cloud hangs over Harvey Souza and his Seven Mile Casino in the face of a federal money laundering charge, some in the community recall what he has done for Chula Vista.
“Harvey Souza is one of the kindest, most generous, community oriented, family oriented man I’ve met,” said former Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox.
Before she was elected the 39th mayor of Chula Vista, Cox worked as a consultant for Souza about 16 years ago, assisting him in expanding his gambling establishment, which the city council approved.
Cox said Souza was not a man who sought recognition or wanted his name attached to his philanthropy work. She said this was evident by a political piece that was used in her campaign.
“There is a charming image of Harvey dressed in a tuxedo,” she said. “What the political brochure did not say is that Harvey was attending a fundraiser by South Bay Family YMCA or South Bay Community Services.”
Souza donated to many organizations such as the South Bay Family YMCA, the police foundation, the Chula Vista Rotary Club and other organizations and several churches.
Last week federal agents raided Seven Mile Casino on Bay Boulevard and the Palomar Card Club on El Cajon Boulevard in connection with illegal gambling and money laundering in San Diego. Souza is one of 25 defendants facing criminal charges in this case.
Former Chula Vista City Councilman Rudy Ramirez said Souza in the past has donated money to his International Friendship Games.
Souza also contributed to Ramirez’s 2012 campaign for assembly.
“He’s never lobbied me for anything and I don’t know of him showing up ever asking for anything at City Hall,” he said.
“And I’ve known him to be always supportive of lots of civic activities, good causes in the community. He supports nonprofits, he supports the (local) service clubs… He’s been that kind of person in the community a long as I’ve known him.”
Ramirez said he was “surprised” to hear about the news of Souza’s arrest and possible involvement in a money laundering scheme.
Patty Chavez, director of South Bay Community Services Communication and External Affairs department, said she didn’t know Souza very well but the interactions she’s had with him were mainly about how he can help South Bay Community Services.
“Throughout the years he’s helped with the domestic violence shelter and he’s helped with Mi Escuelita and he’s donated to our foster youth program,” Chavez said.
Chavez said Souza’s generosity doesn’t end with him. She said the entire Souza family has always been supportive of South Bay Community Services.
Chavez is also a member of the Chula Vista Kiwanis and said Souza has helped sponsor wine tasting fundraisers for programs that help children.
“He’s always been good to children in need,” she said.
Cox said she doesn’t know what to think about Souza’s money laundering charge but says that she still supports him.
Cox said she’s always known Souza to be a law-abiding businessman.
“Harvey has always had his business open to law enforcement,” she said. “My knowledge of Harvey is that he wants to play by the rules.”
Despite all of Souza’s philanthropy work, Cox said Souza’s two biggest community contributions come from the revenue he generates for the city and the number of jobs he brings to Chula Vista.
Souza brings in about $520,000 in annual revenue for the city of Chula Vista, Cox said. With this funding source, the city is able to fund many of the programs and services it has today.
Souza employees about 300 workers at Seven Mile Casino.
‘There are so many people paying their rent, feeding their kids and sending their children to school because they have a good job with Harvey,” she said.
