U.S. to Drop Inquiry Into Roos Activity, Lawyer Says

The attorney for Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles) on Thursday said the U.S. Justice Department has decided not to prosecute Roos in connection with a profitable investment arranged by convicted fireworks magnate W. Patrick Moriarty.

“The only thing I can tell you,” said John J. Quinn, “is that I have heard the government, after a lengthy investigation, has concluded there is no reason or basis to proceed with the investigation and that there is nothing there.”

No Comment

Richard E. Drooyan, chief assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said he had no comment on whether the government has, indeed, decided against prosecuting Roos. Other government sources would say only that an official statement on the Roos case was expected soon.

Nevertheless, Quinn said Roos was “delighted,” although “to be frank, it doesn’t come as a shock or surprise to us. We have cooperated fully with the government. They have been gentlemanly and professional, but thorough. My only objection is that it has taken so long.”

Roos, 41, was a key supporter of Moriarty’s 1981 attempt to obtain passage of state legislation legalizing so-called safe-and-sane fireworks throughout California.

It was about the same time that Roos invested $50,000 in a Moriarty condominium project. Slightly more than a year later, Roos received a return of $100,000. Moriarty arranged for Roos to borrow the $50,000 against campaign funds.

Roos gave up his Assembly majority leader’s job after the federal investigation began.

Forwarded to Washington

Drooyan said six months ago that results of an investigation into Roos’ financial and political ties to Moriarty were being forwarded to Justice Department officials in Washington for a decision on whether to prosecute.

Drooyan was asked about the Roos case after the conviction of former Norwalk Assemblyman Bruce E. Young on mail fraud charges, a conviction based primarily on evidence about campaign money-laundering and Young’s failure to report income from Moriarty and two cable television companies.