Deukmejian Won’t Condemn Targets of Sting

Gov. George Deukmejian today refused to condemn a group of Los Angeles-area lawmakers at the center of an FBI probe, saying it would be inappropriate for him to comment.

Asked about the effect the sting operation was having on Assembly Minority Leader Pat Nolan (R-Glendale), the governor said: “Nobody whose name has been raised in connection with that investigation has been charged with anything. Anyone in that position should be given the benefit of the doubt.”

The Capitol offices of Nolan, Assemblyman Frank Hill (R-Whittier), Assemblywoman Gwen Moore (D-Los Angeles) and Sen. Joseph Montoya (D-Whittier) were raided Aug. 24 as the FBI capped a three-year investigation.

Deukmejian, at a news conference at his Los Angeles office, said he would be concerned if all the allegations of forgery, lying and bribery against Nolan and the others were true.

‘It Would Be Inappropriate’

But he said he was “not privy to all the facts. It would be inappropriate for me to make a judgment.”

On another matter, the governor denied that California workers would be safer if voters restore the state’s Cal/OSHA worker safety program on Nov. 8.

He also accused the supporters of the program of distorting safety figures and pushing the ballot initiative to restore Cal/OSHA for partisan reasons.

“There would not be any improvement in work safety programs in our state” if Proposition 97 passes, Deukmejian said.