D.A. Cancels Inquiry of Alleged Council Bribe Statement by Lobbyist

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office dropped its review Thursday of a lobbyist’s statement that two council members asked for contributions in exchange for scheduling a hearing for her clients, saying there was no evidence to warrant further investigation.

Assistant Dist. Atty. Curt Livesay said he closed the review of the matter after the lobbyist, Ann Carlton Bose, contradicted her initial account in a Thursday interview with investigators, telling them that she “never viewed the matter as a bribe or soliciting a bribe.”

“There’s not enough to warrant an investigation,” Livesay said.

Neither Bose nor her attorney, Charles English, could be reached for comment.

According to Bose’s initial account, delivered in interviews last Friday with KNBC and The Times, she had tried unsuccessfully for four months last year to get a hearing before the Transportation and Traffic Committee, which Councilman Nate Holden chairs.

Bose said that finally she called council President John Ferraro for help in persuading Holden. Ferraro called back, Bose said, and told her Holden said he would schedule the hearing if Bose’s clients supported Ferraro’s next fund-raiser.

The lobbyist then wrote a letter to her clients relating the conversation. Publication of the letter prompted the review by the district attorney’s office.

Livesay said that in the interview with investigators, Bose contradicted her letter.

“She did say that she never took Councilman Ferraro seriously,” Livesay said.

Bose told investigators that Ferraro simply reminded her that the ambulance companies that she represents were his supporters.

“It’s fair to say that what she said contradicts what the letter says,” Livesay added. “She never took Ferraro seriously when he made comments more than a year ago.”

Bose also told investigators that the letter was a draft that was not intended to be mailed, but that she inadvertently failed to review it before it was sent out to clients. Bose did not personally sign the letter before it was sent out. Her signature was instead signed by a secretary, who had permission to file the signature.

Holden said he would talk to his lawyer, Gloria Allred, before deciding whether to drop a civil suit alleging libel and slander that he filed Monday against Bose and her employer, Devon Blaine and The Blaine Group.

“Hell, I never said it!” he said angrily.

Continuing Doubts

Holden earlier this week said he considered the allegation by Bose to be an “intentional” attack on his integrity. On Thursday, he indicated continuing doubts about the newest Bose account.

Ferraro, in a statement issued by his council office, thanked the district attorney’s office for acting “in a timely manner.”

“But the ultimate action was what I expected,” he added. “ I am not surprised because I knew all along there was no substance to the allegations. Unfortunately, when people make irresponsible statements of this kind, it tarnishes the image of all elected officials.”

Livesay said Bose was the only person interviewed by the district attorney’s office during its review.

“She was the only witness, as the ostensible writer of the letter,” he said.

No charges are anticipated against Bose or others as a result of the flap, Livesay added.

“I don’t see in the context of all these events any crime that’s been committed,” he said.