O.C. Transit Official Cancels Fundraiser Amid Controversy
A board member of the Orange County Transportation Authority canceled a planned political fundraiser Friday, one day after questions were raised about a solicitation he sent out offering confidential discussions on transit policy while at the same time seeking donations to his campaign.
In a letter mailed to the roughly 40 lobbyists and consultants who received the original solicitation, Richard Dixon, the OCTA board member and mayor of Lake Forest, said that its contents were misconstrued.
He said he did not mean to suggest that recipients needed to “pay to play.”
“Let me assure you this was never my intent, and to apologize for offending anyone,” the letter said. “I think the best way for me to set the record straight is to cancel my fundraiser.” The event will not be rescheduled.
christian.berthelsen
@latimes.com
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