Tustin : Two-Name Candidate’s Lawyer Protests Inquiry

The attorney for City Council candidate Jim Scott filed a complaint with the district attorney’s office Thursday, charging that a request from Tustin Police Chief Charles Thayer to have that office investigate Scott’s use of two names was politically motivated.

Scott, 41, one of nine candidates running for two council seats in Tuesday’s election, was stopped last month by police for a traffic violation and produced a driver’s license under the name of E.H. Winchester Jr., police said. Thayer said the matter was referred to the district attorney’s office for investigation because of possible illegalities.

Scott’s attorney, Stephen D. Johnson, who is also a candidate for the City Council, said Thayer’s complaint was a form of retaliation because Scott had been critical of Thayer in the past. Johnson said his client legally changed his name from E.H. Winchester Jr. to Jim Scott 10 years ago because he did not want his father, E.H. Winchester Sr., who also lives in Tustin, to be bothered by calls meant for him.

“Mr. Scott has acted properly at all times, “ Johnson said, adding that Scott consulted him about the legality of running for office under the name Jim Scott before filing election papers.

Johnson also said he would file a civil action against Thayer in federal court. He charged that Thayer’s request for the investigation was in violation of Scott’s civil rights.

Thayer was not available for comment late Thursday.