Ortiz Witness Says Revenge Not His Motive

A key prosecution witness against indicted former county registrar Ray Ortiz denied in court testimony that he had pledged to get even for Ortiz’s role in his company’s loss of a lucrative county contract.

Lynn Kienle, a sales representative for Jeffries Banknote Co. of Los Angeles, did not contest a defense attorney’s contention Monday that the firm lost a county printing contract five years ago--and he lost a large commission--because of overcharges.

But in testimony Monday during a Municipal Court preliminary hearing for Ortiz and two co-defendants, Kienle said he never vowed to get even with Ortiz for disclosing overcharges.

Ortiz and his attorney, Merle Schneidewind, claimed in an interview Monday that Kienle had lied repeatedly in his testimony and in a grand jury appearance because he was conducting a “vendetta” against Ortiz.

Raymond J. Coughlan, a lawyer representing Kienle, said Tuesday that Ortiz’s allegations are groundless and perhaps defamatory. “Mr. Kienle absolutely denies that he lied in court,” Coughlan said. “I think it’s outrageous that Mr. Ortiz and his attorney would say such a thing. They know absolutely there’s no vendetta.”

The San Diego County Grand Jury last month indicted Ortiz on 27 felony counts of grand theft and misappropriation of public funds in the alleged manipulation of another contract with Jeffries to cover up thousands of dollars in unrelated expenses. Lance Gough, an elections consultant, and Maria Caldera, a longtime friend of Ortiz, also were charged with grand theft.

Kienle was granted immunity from prosecution.