Costa Mesa Councilman Won’t Face Bribe Charges

An inquiry by the Orange County district attorney’s office into allegations that a Costa Mesa councilman solicited a bribe has ended in the conclusion that there is “insufficient evidence” to file charges, according to Costa Mesa police.

The decision followed a two-month investigation into accusations that Councilman W. David Wheeler, known for his anti-development stance, had asked for campaign contributions from developers seeking city approval for a proposed 32-unit apartment complex.

Wheeler said he was not surprised by the decision.

“I expected it,” he said. “I knew I had not done anything wrong; that’s why I requested the investigation. The whole story was ridiculous; it did not make sense.

“By accepting campaign contributions from a developer, I would lose my financial base of support, which comes from residents. They made up a bad story. They could not have given me enough money to vote for that project.”

The allegations stemmed from a December, 1985, council meeting when a representative of developers John Lattanzio and real estate broker Robert Burtner handed Wheeler a letter suggesting that he abstain from voting on the proposed project due to a “conflict of interest.”

In the letter, Lattanzio claimed that Wheeler had solicited money from him during a recess at an October council meeting. The developers were requesting a zone change on property at 543 Victoria St. from medium-density residential to high-density.

Burtner said the developers may build the apartment complex in conformity with the lower density zoning. He said: “We are being forced to and it is a shame because the people of Costa Mesa could have used those housing units.”

Wheeler asked for an investigation of the allegations at the December council meeting and then proceeded to vote against the project, after the city attorney said he did not have to abstain.