Bradley Tells City Council He Erred but Broke No Law

Mayor Tom Bradley, in an extraordinary public admission, told a stunned City Council today that he made “an error in judgment” in creating the appearance of a conflict of interest between his personal finances and his mayoral actions, but he insisted that he will be exonerated by pending investigations into his behavior.

“I was insensitive not to realize that accepting outside employment can create the perceptions we see today,” said Bradley, making his comments under the glare of a battery of television cameras in a hastily arranged appearance in the council’s ornate chamber.

“In retrospect, my decision to engage in outside employment was a mistake because of the perceptions it created. I now recognize that error and will always regret it.

“I am certain,” the mayor added, “that the inquiry will conclude that I violated no laws.”

The two-minute public statement, which Bradley aides said the mayor had been mulling over for a week, was meant to blunt the political damage mounting daily because of the raft of investigations surrounding the mayor. Council members were told of the pending statement less than half an hour before Bradley delivered it, and the mayor refused to answer questions afterward.

‘Few Personal Words’

Afterward, the members, whose good will Bradley was clearly courting with what he termed “a few personal words” about the controversy, expressed sharply mixed reactions. Council members Robert Farrell and Joel Wachs rose in a standing ovation as Bradley marched from the council chamber, but other influential members discounted the mayor’s address.

“I don’t think it was clear enough; I don’t think it was convincing enough,” said Councilwoman Gloria Molina, a member of the council’s Governmental Operations Committee, which is overseeing City Atty. James K. Hahn’s probe of the mayor.

Councilman Mike Woo, who heads the committee, offered a similar assessment. “We still need to find out what the facts are,” he said.

Bradley faces four separate investigations into his conduct. Hahn’s probe, which is expected to continue for months, centers on Bradley’s financial relationships with two local institutions. The Far East National Bank last year awarded Bradley $18,000 to serve as the only paid member of its advisory board. The second firm, Valley Federal Savings & Loan, had paid Bradley up to $24,000 a year since 1978 to serve as a director.

Both were doing business with the city during the time they employed the mayor. Bradley initially denied knowing of the connection, but documents released in recent weeks have indicated that Bradley knew Far East held city accounts. Bradley also voted on measures affecting Valley Federal subsidiaries before he left the board earlier this year.

The mayor also faces probes by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fair Political Practices Commission, which has launched two investigations of the mayor.

In his admission of error, Bradley specifically apologized for accepting fees from outside firms--a practice that, as the mayor noted, is allowed under the City Charter. He did not, however, address the central issue of the controversy--the allegations that Bradley improperly consulted with city officials regarding the firms and took actions benefiting those who paid him fees.

Bradley’s top aide, Deputy Mayor Mike Gage, said the omission was intentional.

“He considers the taking of outside employment to be his error in judgment because of the perception that it created--not because of his actions,” Gage said.

Gage said Bradley’s decision to publicly address the matter came after much deliberation, and acknowledged that, in the minds of some city officials, was considered belated.

“I think any person has difficulty admitting they made an error of judgment,” Gage said of the timing.