WBRZ - Baton Rouge

LOS ANGELES- The Better Business Bureau expelled the Los Angeles area chapter for a pay-to-play scandal. The BBB of the Southland is the nation's largest chapter and has lost its right to use the BBB name and logo. An investigation by the national organization found evidence businesses were told they must pay to become members to receive high marks from the chapter. An ABC-TV investigation two years ago found the chapter gave the Hamas militant organization an A-minus grade after a blogger submitted its name and paid hundreds of dollars in memberships. BBB of the Southland's chairman told the national office the chapter was resigning last week but denied there were widespread problems.