Defense Fund Tops $15,000 Since Limit Abolished

Since the Superior Court lifted the ceiling on contributions to Mayor Roger Hedgecock’s defense fund two weeks ago, supporters have donated $15,940 to help with the mayor’s rising legal costs, a fund-raiser for the mayor said Wednesday.

Nancy MacHutchin, of Californians for the Future, the group organized to raise money for Hedgecock’s defense, also said a mailer underscoring the fact that people are free to give the fund as much money as they like will be sent today to everyone who contributed while the limit was in effect.

The largest single contribution since the limit was lifted has been $4,000, MacHutchin said, but she declined to disclose the identity of that contributor or of others. The fund-raising group will have to identify contributors by Jan. 31.

A financial statement filed July 31 in the city clerk’s office lists the people who had made contributions to the defense fund while there was a $250 limit. The list is dominated by prominent San Diegans, primarily doctors, lawyers and developers.

A ruling two weeks ago by Judge Mack P. Lovett lifted the $250 limit on contributions to Hedgecock’s defense fund. With legal expenses that could reach $250,000 in Hedgecock’s second trial for conspiracy and perjury, his lawyers and fund-raisers have welcomed the decision. In his ruling, Lovett rejected the contentions of City Atty. John Witt, who in February had ruled that the Hedgecock defense fund was subject to the city ordinance limiting political contributions to $250.

Lovett stressed that the amounts and sources of the donations to the defense fund must be disclosed.

MacHutchin said that before Lovett’s ruling, the fund had $10,500 in verbal commitments but nothing in the bank. She said there is a constant “income, outgo” in the account, with money being turned over to the mayor’s former attorney, Michael Pancer, and the firm of Leo Sullivan to cover legal debts. Hedgecock reportedly owes about $72,000 to Sullivan’s firm and $16,000 to Pancer. Oscar Goodman, the mayor’s counsel in the current trial, was paid in full in advance, MacHutchin said.

In addition to the $15,940 that has come in, MacHutchin said $11,000 has been pledged. She added, “I think we’re doing very well.” She is planning a private fund-raising dinner or two but no dates have been set.

MacHutchin said the fund also received about 10 unsolicited “modest” contributions ranging from $20 to $150. “One card came to my house. I don’t know how they got my address,” she said. “A couple of people have just dropped by with checks.”