Hahn Doubts Truth of Alatorre’s Claim in Council Race Funds Inquiry

Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn says he doubts the truth of a major contention in Councilman Richard Alatorre’s defense against accusations that he may have violated a new city law in winning his City Council seat.

Hahn, whose office is investigating Alatorre for possible criminal violations, questioned the former state assemblyman’s statement that someone in the city attorney’s office had advised him that he could use funds raised for a state campaign to help pay the costs of the City Council campaign.

“I haven’t found anybody in the office who says that they advised him that he could use state money,” Hahn said Friday in a breakfast interview with the Times’ City-County Bureau.

A Meeting Recalled

Asked if he thought anyone from his office had given Alatorre or any aide such counsel, Hahn replied: “I doubt it.”

Hahn also added that in a meeting last summer, Alatorre was told he could not use any state political campaign funds in a local election.

Hahn said that his office is investigating whether a violation of the law took place and whether charges will be brought. He said that auditors from the city clerk’s elections division are reviewing the legality of Alatorre’s campaign contributions.

Alatorre on Friday stood by his statement that the city attorney’s office had given him conflicting advice and had told his staff that he could use the money raised by his state campaign committee.

“What we are arguing about is whether I can use (that money) or not,” Alatorre said. “And I’m telling you that people said that I could. But I’m not going to get into an argument with the city attorney, especially when there’s an investigation going on as to whether I got (that advice) or didn’t. I’m telling you I did, period.”

New Law’s Provisions

The dispute arose over a new campaign contributions law--passed by voters in April--that bars a council candidate from using outside sources, such as a state campaign committee, to finance a local race. Nearly $125,000 raised or spent by state election committees may have been used to help Alatorre win the Eastside council seat vacated by retiring council member Arthur K. Snyder, according to City Hall sources.

Some of that money--about $45,000--has already been reimbursed from Alatorre’s city campaign to his state committee, but the continuing investigation could take weeks or months, Hahn said.

Alatorre, who was reluctant to discuss the matter, referred a reporter’s questions to his attorney, Johnnie Cochran, before responding to Hahn’s statements.

“I just want to get this whole thing over with. All I want is for it to be investigated,” Alatorre said. “I think the (campaign) law is confusing, and I think almost anyone would recognize that the law is confusing.”

In addition to the restriction on outside funding, the Charter amendment--passed by 77% of the voters--establishes a $1,000 ceiling per contributor to candidates running for mayor and other citywide offices. A $500 limit from each donor was placed on contributions to City Council candidates. The law was drafted in response to complaints that special interests had too much influence over local officeholders and to prevent candidates from stockpiling large sums for future city races.

Source of Confusion

Alatorre, whose December election was the first to be held since the new law was passed, argued that it has “too many gray areas” that may have tripped him and other council members. But Hahn indicated Friday that Alatorre was made aware of those provisions last summer.

Hahn said he met with Alatorre and two of his campaign aides in August after Alatorre--who had not yet declared for the council seat--asked whether he could use money collected at a political fund raiser for a possible city campaign.

Hahn said he made it clear that under the city’s campaign law, Alatorre would have to tell his contributors to send new donations, earmarked specifically for a council race. “We also said that from that point on, all funds he wanted to spend in this race had to be raised under this (city) law,” Hahn said.

Asked if he believed Alatorre understood those limitations, Hahn said: “Well, I don’t want to get into what his state of mind was at that time. I don’t want to say anything or conjecture or speculate on anything that might interfere with my ability to carry on this investigation.”

Alatorre said he recalls the meeting but differed with Hahn’s version. When he was told that Hahn said Alatorre’s supporters would have to reissue their checks and that everyone understood that no state funds could be used in city campaigns, Alatorre said curtly: “That’s not my recollection.”

No Conflict Seen

“He doesn’t know,” Alatorre said of Hahn. “I’m not going to do something if I didn’t get advice that would lead me to believe that I could use (the money).”

Although his office plays a role in the controversy, Hahn said that he sees no conflict and that the district attorney’s office showed that it agreed with Hahn by sending the case back earlier this month for the city attorney’s office to prosecute.

“It is an awkward situation because our criminal deputies will be interviewing deputies in the civil branch about conversations and advice,” Hahn said. “But the district attorney has found no basis for a legal conflict . . . so I think there is no hindrance to our proceeding.”

Violation of the law, which occurs if a person “knowingly and willfully” breaks the law, is a misdemeanor that could lead to removal from office.