$446 Gift : Robbins Says Jewelry Was Aide’s Bonus

State Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) calls them “a non-monetary bonus.” Sandy Miller, his administrative assistant, says they were “a gift.” On Robbins’ campaign report, they are listed under the heading, “fund-raising events.”

They are a $446 gold ring with a garnet stone and matching earrings that Robbins gave to Miller in February. The jewelry was paid for by one of Robbins’ campaign committees, the Robbins Birthday Dinner Committee, and is listed in a report filed with the state last month.

“Sandy has spent her personal time when she’s not on state business helping out,” Robbins said Thursday. “We don’t normally issue checks to people who work in the Senate office so the committee gave her a bonus.”

Miller, 48, a nine-year veteran of Robbins’ staff, said: “He just gave me a gift.”

It is not unusual for state lawmakers--many of whom raise large sums but face only token election challenges--to use campaign money for gifts to staff members, particularly around Christmas and Hanukkah. However, most presents are for modest amounts, usually well under $100.

Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda), for instance, reported last month that he spent $300 for staff gifts in Hawaii. He said this paid for 17 to 20 presents. Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Tarzana) reported spending $162 on holiday staff gifts at Bullock’s. Robbins, who gives staff members $75 department store gift certificates for the holidays, said this was the first time he could recall spending more than $100.

The state Election Law prohibits use of campaign contributions for personal gifts of $100 or more “unless there is a reasonable relationship to political, legislative or governmental purposes.”

Robbins said that giving Miller the ring involved “more than a reasonable relationship to political, governmental and legislative purposes. . . . I think it’s quite appropriate.”

He said she spends considerable time on evenings and weekends attending functions for him and meeting with community groups. The bonus jewelry was specifically suggested by a member of the birthday committee because of Miller’s volunteer political work, Robbins said.

In her official capacity, Miller runs Robbins’ Van Nuys district office, works on constituent problems and community affairs and acts as a liaison with the media. She said Robbins has previously given her a briefcase and other items during the holiday season. Robbins said he assumes these also were also paid for with campaign funds.

Robbins, a 15-year Senate veteran and one of the state’s most prolific fund-raisers, has not had a viable campaign opponent since 1982. His annual $500-a-person birthday dinner netted more than $175,000 last month and, two years before he faces reelection, he has more than $1 million in his campaign coffers.

Earlier this year, state Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp’s office conducted a six-week review of loans Robbins made with campaign funds and found no evidence that Robbins had violated the Election Law.

Van de Kamp said the law is vague and called for legislation to define what constitutes “personal use” or “personal gifts.”