Deukmejian Won’t Return Funds Linked to Moriarty

Gov. George Deukmejian said today that he won’t return $17,000 in campaign contributions he received from two associates of Patrick Moriarty even it’s proven the money came from the fireworks manufacturer, who has pleaded guilty to seven felony counts.

“Here’s someone who has committed certain crimes,” the Republican governor said at a Capitol press conference. “I don’t think we should reward him.”

Deukmejian said his campaign committee would amend his contribution reports to reflect the true source of the money if it’s determined that it came from Moriarty.

But he said he wouldn’t return the funds, even for appearance’s sake.

Deukmejian’s campaign treasurer has notified state elections officials that it may be necessary to amend the governor’s campaign reports.

Moriarty, 53, pleaded guilty in federal court to seven felony counts involving mail fraud and improper campaign contributions to elected officials. Moriarty, facing a maximum of 35 years in prison, has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the spreading corruption probe.

Several state lawmakers have been linked to Moriarty’s illicit campaign contributions, and some of them have amended their campaign reports to reflect that campaign contributions came from Moriarty.