Baker Surfaces, Concedes ‘I’ve Had Better Weeks’

Appearing pale and tired, Irvine City Councilman C. David Baker acknowledged Wednesday that life “has been extremely tough” since his forced resignation as executive director of the Irvine Health Foundation.

Baker, speaking only briefly outside his sister’s El Toro home, refused to comment on allegations that he wrote himself a $48,000 check from a foundation account when his congressional campaign was pressed for cash the week before the June 7 election. His attorney, Paul Meyer, has said Baker put a stop-payment order on the check before any funds were transferred.

Sources have said Baker also countersigned the name of another board member on the check.

The district attorney’s office is investigating.

Baker has not been seen publicly since Friday, when the alleged improprieties first surfaced. Baker, 35, reportedly had left for a long-planned vacation with his wife, Patty, and two young sons the day after he narrowly lost the Republican primary in the 40th Congressional District.

On Wednesday, Baker referred all questions about the foundation and his role as executive director to Meyer.

Baker, a lawyer, was wearing blue jeans, tennis shoes and a short-sleeve sport shirt. Sitting on the hood of his car, Baker said softly: “It’s been a long few days. I’ve had better weeks.”

Baker was elected to the Irvine council in 1984. He finished second in the GOP primary to C. Christopher Cox.