Bernson Fund-Raiser Draws Fire From Peers

West San Fernando Valley Councilman Hal Bernson has scheduled a $2,500-a-table political fund-raiser this month, drawing criticism that he is violating the spirit of a Los Angeles law that places a $500 ceiling on contributions to council members.

The Feb. 20 dinner at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City is legal, the city attorney’s office said Tuesday. But Los Angeles City Council members Ernani Bernardi and Joy Picus, sponsors of the campaign reform law approved by 77% of the city’s voters last April, accused Bernson of violating the law’s intent. The two also represent Valley constituencies.

The measure was proposed in response to complaints that special-interest groups had too much influence over local office holders, who were allowed to receive unlimited amounts from contributors. The measure placed a $1,000 ceiling on contributions to candidates for mayoral and other citywide offices. A $500 limit was placed on donations to council candidates from any contributor.

Tickets to Bernson’s dinner are $250 a plate, but contributors frequently buy an entire 10-seat table.

Contributions Legal

Ted Goldstein, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office, said such contributions are legal in this case because Bernson has formed a political action committee, through which he can legally raise any amount of funds as long as he doesn’t spend any of it on Los Angeles city campaigns. The committees are usually formed to raise funds for county or state legislative races.

Bernson, who is up for reelection in April, 1987, said he plans to give most of the money raised at the dinner to community groups. In previous years, he has donated campaign funds to groups such as the Boy Scouts, a Police Athletic League and religious institutions.

The councilman said the new city law does not enable him to raise enough money to conduct a campaign and also support community groups.

He reported a $156,300 surplus in his city campaign treasury as of Dec. 31.

Bernson also contended he isn’t doing anything different from some of his colleagues.

‘I’m Not the First’

“I’m not the first one,” he said. Other council members who have established political action committees include Councilmen Dave Cunningham and Gilbert W. Lindsay.

“Sometimes, when laws are made that are improper, you create situations like this,” Bernson said. “This is an inappropriate law.”

Bernson opposed the measure, contending it would lead to efforts by candidates to circumvent the law.

Bernardi, however, accused Bernson of “subverting the intent of campaign reform.”

“The people who buy tickets to these fund-raisers are buying influence,” Bernardi said.

Picus was criticized herself last year for holding a $2,000-a-table fund-raiser while leading the campaign for contribution limits. She pointed out at the time, however, that her fund-raiser was held before the vote on campaign reform. “When the rules of the games have been established, then I play by the rules,” she said at the time.

On Tuesday, Picus said of Bernson’s fund-raiser: “It is a violation of the spirit of the law.”

She said fund raising by political action committees creates “a slush fund for doing whatever they want with it.”