Leading Earner Among County’s Legislators : Campbell Talks His Way to the Top of List

Sen. William Campbell (R-Hacienda Heights) collected $26,350 in speaking fees last year, the most received by any of the 13 state legislators whose districts include parts of Orange County, according to annual reports filed with the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Assemblyman Robert C. Frazee (R-Carlsbad), who represents a portion of southern Orange County, reported receiving more in gifts than any other member of the county’s delegation. Frazee received gifts valued at $7,717 from friends, special interest groups and civic organizations.

Together, the 13 statements of economic interest show a legislative delegation that, except for a few members, earns only a modest amount from making speeches. And although most of the county’s legislators received several thousand dollars worth of gifts each, much of it came in small amounts in the form of dinners, luncheons and trinkets from constituent groups.

There are no legal limits on the amount of outside income or gifts California legislators may receive to supplement their $37,105 annual salaries and the $87-a-day living allowances they receive when the Legislature is in session.

Campbell, a colorful orator who is considered to be among the Legislature’s best speakers, earned far more from speaking than the next most successful Orange County lawmaker in that category: Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim), who took in $10,850 for his speeches.

Campbell, who represents a stretch of Orange County reaching from Brea to Laguna Niguel, was paid for 23 speeches during 1987. His fees ranged from $250 for a speech to the United Domestic Workers of America to $3,000 for an address to the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Seymour was paid for 15 speeches, including $1,500 from Clayton, William and Sherwood, a Newport Beach firm that specializes in the management of mobile home parks.

The only other legislator to earn $5,000 or more in speaking fees was Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach), who took in $7,313 for 19 speeches.

Frazee reported receiving 37 gifts, the most expensive of which was a $1,070 membership to the Capital Athletic Club. Frazee said in his report that he did not take advantage of his membership privileges during 1987.

Frazee also reported receiving free parking at the San Diego airport, annual passes to Sea World, a membership in the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, a video camera from Sony Corp. and tickets to Disneyland and a Rams football game.

Several Orange County lawmakers reported receiving free trips during 1987, including three who traveled to Israel.

Sen. Cecil Green (D-Norwalk) went as a guest of Ben-Gurion University, which paid $4,350 in expenses for his visit. Trips by Seymour and Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) were financed by the California Teachers Assn., with Allen’s trip costing $4,000 and Seymour’s coming to $3,800.

Campbell received $4,694 in air fare, meals and lodging from the Political and Economic Exchange Foundation of Washington. Campbell’s report did not say where he traveled, and he could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Assemblyman Dennis Brown (R-Signal Hill) was given an all-expense paid night at the Academy Awards, including lodging, meals, a limousine and tickets to the awards show. The $1,624 gift was from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Legislators also are required to report outside income from other jobs and investments, but it is difficult to determine exactly how much they earn from such pursuits because they must only report the money in broad categories, such as “between $1,001 and $10,000” or “over $10,000.”

Seymour, a former real estate agent, reported earning at least $64,000 from rents, consulting and his wife’s income as an escrow officer. Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) reported at least $53,000 in outside income, including money from rents, his Marine Corps pension and income from his public relations consulting firm.

Three Orange County legislators--Green, Assemblyman Ross Johnson (R-La Habra) and Assemblyman Richard Longshore (R-Santa Ana)--reported no outside income other than fees for speeches.

THE MONEY GAME

Legislators filed their annual statements of economic interest this week in Sacramento. Here are some of the highlights from the Orange County delegation’s reports.

Best-paid speechmakers:

Sen. William Campbell--$26,350

Sen. John Seymour--$10,850

Sen. Marian Bergeson--$7,313

Top gift-getter:

Assemblyman Robert C. Frazee--$7,717

Highest outside income:

Sen. John Seymour--at least $64,000

Assemblyman Gil Ferguson--at least $53,000