Deadline Set for Shelley to Decide If He Will Testify in Funds Probe

The head of a legislative committee investigating California’s handling of federal election funds gave Secretary of State Kevin Shelley a two-day extension Tuesday to decide whether he will testify voluntarily.

Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) told Shelley she would seek a subpoena if he does not agree by 10 a.m. Thursday to testify before the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, which she leads.

After Shelley failed to appear at a committee hearing Monday, Parra gave him a deadline of noon Tuesday to agree to testify.

She tried to telephone him Tuesday morning but Shelley did not take her call, officials said.

However, later in the day he wrote Parra a letter saying he wanted to cooperate but needed to consult with his lawyer.

The Joint Legislative Audit Committee is examining a state audit that accused Shelley of mismanaging $46 million in federal Help America Vote Act funds.

Separately, a federal grand jury in Sacramento and the state attorney general are investigating more than $100,000 in donations to Shelley’s campaign from individuals who received payments from a project he helped fund as an assemblyman. And the state Personnel Board is examining Shelley’s treatment of employees.

Given the investigations, Parra said it was reasonable to give Shelley the extra time but she reiterated that she would seek a subpoena through the Joint Rules Committee if he does not testify.

In a conference call with reporters, Parra said Shelley’s testimony was necessary because his representative, Help America Vote Act coordinator Tony Miller, was not able to answer all questions from the bipartisan audit committee.

Parra said she would allow an attorney to accompany Shelley to the hearings, which are scheduled to resume on Feb. 3, but that Shelley would have to be the one answering questions.