Bernson Spending on State Race Told
Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson has raised $177,525 and spent $119,000 on his possible bid for lieutenant governor in 1990, a campaign that a political watchdog group charges violates state and local campaign fund-raising laws.
A spokesman for California Common Cause said Friday that the group will call on the state Fair Political Practices Commission, Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp and City Atty. James K. Hahn to investigate the expenditures, which the group believes circumvent campaign spending limits. Bernson replied that he is being wrongfully attacked by Common Cause. Under state law, Bernson can legally solicit up to $1,000 per donor in contributions for a state race as long as he does not spend the money to campaign for local office. City laws, which govern Bernson’s council reelection campaigns, impose a $500-per-donor limit.
Common Cause contends that Bernson is using his state campaign funds to make contributions to charitable groups and other organizations in his North San Fernando Valley district, bolstering his political standing as a council member.
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