Traffic Case : Lawmaker’s Daughter Enters Jail

Victoria Wright, the frequently ticketed daughter of Assemblywoman Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley), entered the Ventura County Jail on Monday to begin a 30-day sentence for violating the conditions of her probation for a traffic offense.

Wright, 24, was conditionally accepted into the county work furlough program two weeks ago but failed to submit the required paper work until Monday, said Richard Humeston, the work furlough division manager. Humeston said he expected to make a final decision today.

Wright’s term was scheduled to begin today, but she went to court to move the starting date up by a day, a step Humeston called unusual. She has consistently avoided newspaper reporters and photographers by having attorneys represent her in court and at a state Department of Motor Vehicles hearing in recent weeks.

“We just thought it made more sense for her to start at the beginning of the week,” said Lawrence Noble, Wright’s attorney.

The supermarket cashier’s driving record has come under public scrutiny because Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury’s office is investigating reports that Cathie Wright improperly sought to use her clout with judges, Simi Valley police and the DMV to keep her only child from losing her license or facing other penalties. Bradbury is expected to issue his report in the next two weeks.

Could Continue Working

Participation in the work furlough program would allow Victoria Wright to continue in her job during the day and return to the minimum-security Work Furlough Facility at Camarillo Airport at night and on weekends.

The paper work Wright submitted Monday included her employer’s agreement to allow work furlough officials to observe her on the job and check her time cards. She also had to provide her transportation arrangements because she lost her license March 9.

Wright had been given three years probation and a 30-day suspended sentence April 18, 1988, for driving without a license. At that point, she had 13 moving violations in the previous three years.

Under terms of her probation, she was to inform the court in writing within 10 days if she committed another traffic offense. She failed to advise the court of five subsequent tickets. She pleaded guilty to violating probation March 29 and was given the 30-day sentence.