News In Brief

Ferraro accused of receiving House help from racketeer

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Geraldine A. Ferraro received two congressional campaign contributions totaling $700 from a businessman who had served eight months in a federal prison for labor racketeering, the Philadelphia Inquirer said in Wednesday's editions.

A bakery owned by the contributor, Michael La Rosa, also gave $500 to Ms. Ferraro's House campaign, the Inquirer said.

A campaign spokesman for Ms. Ferraro said Tuesday night there was no immediate comment on the contributions, the newspaper said. There was no indication that Ms. Ferraro knew of La Rosa's conviction or had done any favors for him.