Democrat Cory Has Republican Choice; Valley Man on List

John L. Moriarity, a Van Nuys lawyer, is on a list of several people being considered to fill a vacancy on the five-member state Fair Political Practices Commission.

The appointment is being made by State Controller Kenneth Cory, who finds himself confronted with an unpleasant political chore.

Under a never-before-used section of a decade-old law, Democrat Cory is required to name a Republican to ensure party balance among commissioners. Moriarity is one of several individuals recommended by state Republican leaders, who by law are required to submit the names to Cory.

Commission Function

The commission enforces the Political Reform Act, which requires public officials to disclose conflicts of interest and campaign contributions and regulates lobbyist activities.

Under the provision in question, no more than three of the five commissioners can be from the same party. Republican Gov. George Deukmejian’s two appointees, selected two years ago, are a Republican and a Democrat. Two other slots were filled earlier this year by appointments made by Secretary of State March Fong Eu and Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, both of whom are Democrats and selected members of their own party.

That left Cory obligated to pick a Republican for his slot. The state GOP last December gave Cory five names, including another Valley lawyer, John LaFollette, who is married to Assemblywoman Marian W. LaFollette (R-Northridge).

Withdrew Name

But on Wednesday John LaFollette wired Cory, withdrawing his name from consideration for the part-time position. LaFollette said his law partners told him he would be tied up in litigation for the next eight months, leaving no time for the panel.

Moriarity said Cory called him several weeks ago to ask him for references, because the controller “doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall.”

Moriarity specializes in personal injury cases. A Calabasas Park resident, he said he has been a delegate to three Republican national conventions and is a longtime supporter of President Reagan.

On Wednesday, he said that he was aware that his partisan activities would have to be curtailed if he were picked for a seat on the commission.

Reinecke Recommendations

Commission conduct is guided by a “statement of incompatible activities,” which bars members from seeking office, working on behalf of candidates for state office and attending most fund-raisers.

Ed Reinecke, who made the Republican Party’s recommendations for Cory’s appointment before Reinecke’s term as state GOP party chairman ended earlier this year, said that, besides Moriarity, the party recommended Michael Montgomery, a former state GOP chairman and one-time South Pasadena mayor who now is a consultant to cities; George Paras of the Sacramento area, a former California Appeals Court judge and a registered Democrat, and Robert A. Laurie, a Sacramento area lawyer and Republican.

Even before LaFollette’s withdrawal, Cory said in an interview earlier this week that he was “struggling” to reach a decision on his FPPC appointment.

Question of Compliance

In an apparent reference to Paras being a registered Democrat, Cory said, “It’s unclear whether Mr. Reinecke has complied with the statutes.”

Cory also said that, besides those on Reinecke’s list, he is considering two Republicans whom he did not name.

The controller said he is not sure when he will pick a successor for his previous appointee, who has already left office.