Martinez Tops New List of Spending, Reimbursement

San Diego Councilman Uvaldo Martinez spent $14,155.80 of city money for travel and entertainment during the fiscal year ended June 30--far more than any other council member, according to financial records released Tuesday by the city auditor.

The next two biggest spenders on the City Council during fiscal year 1985 were William Jones ($8,926.85) and Dick Murphy ($8,557.75), now a Municipal Court judge.

By comparison, Councilman Bill Cleator spent $114.33 on entertainment and nothing for out-of-town travel. Of the total, $85.27 was used to purchase nine cases of Diet Pepsi for guests visiting Cleator’s office.

The records released Tuesday include city credit card purchases and the amount of direct payments to council members as reimbursements for meals, out-of-town travel and small office expenditures. Previously, city credit card expenses had been the only reports made public by the city auditor.

Cleator explained his modest spending habits by saying he is cheap. He added, “I don’t think the taxpayer should take care of my breakfasts, luncheons and dinners. I pay out of my own pocket.”

The rest of the council, however, used public funds to pay for everything from face makeup to flower arrangements.

On Sept. 13, 1984, Murphy billed the city $20 for a new home phone number. According to his former aide, John Kerr, Murphy had received a number of “hate calls” after passage of a controversial ordinance that forced homeowners near San Diego State University to pay to park in front of their homes.

Murphy also was reimbursed $4.65 for makeup powder he used before a Feb. 11 television appearance.

The reports released Tuesday show that Councilman Bill Mitchell spent $6,134.43 in the last fiscal year, followed by Ed Struiksma ($5,618.25); Mayor Roger Hedgecock ($5,460.91); Mike Gotch ($4,880.74) and Gloria McColl ($3,224.11).

The records were requested two weeks ago by five San Diego newspapers and television stations after reports that Martinez and his top aide, Rudy Murillo, had charged more than $10,000 in meals on their city credit cards since June, 1984. Two dozen people have told The Times that they were not present at meals that appear on Martinez’s credit card reports.

The San Diego County district attorney has opened an investigation of credit card use by Martinez and Murillo.

The new records reveal that Murillo bought a $240.08 lunch and a $182.54 dinner Oct. 30 at Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant for a legislative delegation from Spain. Martinez is listed as attending the lunch, but not the dinner.

In addition, former Martinez aide Colin Flaherty is listed as buying meals for reporters from Channel 10, the San Diego Union, the Tribune and a fourth unnamed media organization for a total of $105.70.

Mitchell was reimbursed $209.41 for meals with 10 reporters. He listed “public relations” as the business purpose of a $17.02 lunch on Sept. 13, 1984, with a reporter from the Del Mar Citizen.

Mitchell said that he bought meals for most of the journalists so he could get favorable publicity for the city’s alcohol and drug abuse prevention task force.

“We wanted the press to support us on various programs we got going,” Mitchell said. “. . . Once they get to know you they can write about you more realistically.”

John Kern, former aide to Murphy, was reimbursed $769.95 for 27 meals with various community leaders, city officials and other guests during the past fiscal year. Murphy was reimbursed for only four meals.

“Somehow, I don’t feel 2 1/2 meals a month is excessive, to be perfectly honest,” said Kern, who appeared on the reimbursement list more often than any council member or aide. “I wasn’t doing it in comparison with anyone else. I was simply doing it on those occasions where I felt it was appropriate.”

All but three of the meals took place at the Cuyamaca Club in the Executive Hotel. “I joined the Cuyamaca Club specifically so I would have someplace to go to,” said Kern, who now works as an account executive for Nelson/Padberg Communications. “I did not charge off the membership to the city.” Dues at the club are $75 a month.

Next to meals, the biggest in-town expense went for picture frames, mats and glass to hang photos on office walls or to present engraved plaques and awards to community groups, civic leaders and distinguished visitors.

For example, Hedgecock’s office paid $592.71 and Mitchell paid $442.39 for framing supplies. Martinez paid $37.10 to frame a photograph of himself with President Reagan.

Cleator said he gives dozens of official proclamations and certificates to San Diego civic and business leaders without spending a penny on frames or mats.

“A good share of that is puffing,” Cleator said. “I don’t think the citizens of San Diego should pay to package a document that someone is going to hang on their wall. The city provides the paper that says you are the greatest guy . . . and we all sign it. If you want to hang it on your wall, you can frame it.”

San Diego City Council Expenses Travel and entertainment expenses by council members for the year ending June 30. Figures include city credit card charges and out-of-pocket expenses later reimbursed.

TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT Roger Hedgecock $1,362.37 $4,098.54 Uvaldo Martinez 6,012.01 8,143.79 William Jones 2,962.97 5,963.88 Dick Murphy 377.14 8,180.61 Bill Mitchell 622.39 5,512.06 Ed Struiksma 3,064.64 2,553.61 Mike Gotch 2,231.52 2,649.22 Gloria McColl 1,625.80 1,598.31 Bill Cleator 0 114.33

Source: City Auditor report.