A major investment management firm, linked to marijuana facilities that allegedly employed minors and undocumented immigrants, has contributed significant funds to mainly Democratic campaigns, along with donations to Nikki Haley’s unsuccessful presidential run.
While employing children or illegal workers may breach certain laws, operating a marijuana cultivation site in California itself isn’t necessarily illegal.
In July, a combined operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) targeted two marijuana farms in Southern California, leading to the arrest of hundreds of undocumented immigrants and the rescue of around 14 migrant children. James Rosenwald, a founding partner of Dalton Investments and a major stakeholder in Glass House Brands—one of the farms involved—has reportedly donated over $93,000 to various Democratic causes and organizations in the last decade, as noted in campaign contribution records examined by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Neither Glasshouse Brands nor Rosenwald provided a response to multiple inquiries from DCNF.
Since 2015, Rosenwald has supported figures like Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, and Adam Schiff, along with Democratic-leaning PACs like ActBlue and the California Democratic Party, with nearly $100,000 in contributions. This information is publicly accessible through Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.
Holding about 14% of the voting power within Glasshouse Brands, Rosenwald has a background in investment management, having previously worked with Soros Fund Management. His firm mentions his advisory role concerning various Soros Group funds from 1992 to 1998.
Rosenwald also backed Hector Dela Torre, an unsuccessful candidate for California Insurance Commissioner, with over $3,000 in donations in 2010. Dela Torre, a longtime Democratic politician, is now a board member at Glass House Brands.
Interestingly, Rosenwald hasn’t limited his donations to Democrats; in November 2023, he contributed approximately $3,300 to Nikki Haley’s campaign in her contest against Donald Trump.
This particular donation occurred before the major immigration operation targeting Glass House properties, which had drawn media attention and political scrutiny.
On July 10, ICE and CBP arrested more than 360 illegal immigrants while executing search warrants at two marijuana farms in California. Among those arrested were individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including convictions for kidnapping and rape.
Democrats in Congress expressed confusion about the operation, with some initially suggesting that immigration agents were targeting standard farms.
Senator Ruben Gallego from Arizona remarked that instead of focusing on dangerous criminals, Trump’s administration was going after families who have contributed to the community for years.
Adam Schiff echoed this sentiment, criticizing the raids as indiscriminate captures of both citizens and non-citizens when they were supposed to prioritize violent offenders. He noted that his campaign received over $6,600 from Rosenwald late last year.
CBP officials reported the discovery of several undocumented minors during the raids, including unaccompanied children. Following the events, the facility reportedly came under investigation for potential violations of child labor laws.
In response to the raids, the House Judiciary Committee announced an investigation into the working conditions at these farms, due to concerns over possible labor law breaches and the involvement of dangerous criminals with migrant children.
Glass House Brands, in an August press release, indicated that third-party labor contractors were responsible for the staffing issues and has since severed ties with two contractors. The company is also actively reviewing the authenticity of employment documents and age requirements in hiring practices.
Graham Farrar, the president of Glass House Brands, has contributed thousands to Democratic candidates, including Governor Gavin Newsom. Records indicate that marijuana executives were involved in significant funding for Newsom’s 2018 campaign and have since made donations to various Democratic committees.
While Newsom challenged suggestions about Farrar’s financial affiliations with Democrat candidates, it was revealed that Kyle Kazan, the company’s CEO and chairman, has also made considerable contributions to the Democratic Party.
In a separate development, three House committees have united to issue a subpoena against ActBlue, which has faced allegations of accepting illegitimate donations for left-wing candidates.
Following the raid, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the rescue of at least 14 children suspected of being exposed to exploitation and forced labor at a California marijuana facility.
