Resigns From Vista City Council : Neal Gets Probation, Fine in Billing Case

Hours after resigning his Vista City Council seat Thursday, Ed Neal was placed on three years’ probation and fined $1,000 for misappropriation of public funds.

Superior Court Judge Richard Huffman, in keeping with a plea bargain reached Tuesday by attorneys, also ordered Neal, 46, to perform 200 hours of community service. Neal, who was elected to the City Council in April, 1982, is barred from seeking any public office during the probationary period.

Neal was charged with three felony misappropriation counts after allegedly billing the City of Vista for his girlfriend’s meals and air fare for a trip by the couple to Washington in June. They attended a White House luncheon hosted by President Reagan for elected officials who had switched to the Republican Party.

Under the plea bargain, the count to which Neal pleaded guilty was reduced to a misdemeanor and the remaining two counts were dismissed.

Outside the courtroom, Neal maintained his innocence and said he agreed to the plea bargain for financial reasons.

“Sometimes you run out of money and time,” Neal said. “I had to make a judgment about did I want to expend my finances and go through a trial, and what would I win in the end--six more months on the council? It just wasn’t worth it.

“I’m relieved. I feel a lot better. I made a mistake, something I overlooked. I’m sorry it happened, but I feel it’s time to get on with business.”

Neal, a carpenter before entering politics, said he will continue working for a company that provides maintenance at the San Onofre nuclear power plant, and that he hopes to expand his construction management business.