Prosecutor to Campaign for D.A.’s Job

Thomas Avdeef, a deputy district attorney and former Santa Ana policeman, said Tuesday that he will mount a “Cop for D.A.” campaign to succeed Dist. Atty. Cecil Hicks, who is retiring.

“I was a tough police officer, and I’m a tough prosecutor,” said the 48-year-old Avdeef, who has handled both juvenile gang cases and murder trials. “I think I’m more qualified than any of the other potential candidates.”

Avdeef, a Republican who lives in Dana Point, filed declaration of candidacy papers at the county registrar of voters office last week for the June, 1990, election.

He is expected to face Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi, who is regarded by political activists, lawyers and judges as the favorite to become the county’s top prosecutor, in part because of his close relationship to Hicks and also because of his track record in prosecuting political figures for corruption.

Among Avdeef’s successful prosecutions was the conviction last year of three “skinheads” for assaulting a gay Los Angeles man in Laguna Beach. The defendants were the first in Orange County to be charged with violating a 1987 civil rights statute outlawing crimes of hatred.

In 1983, Avdeef prosecuted Charles David Rothenberg, who was convicted of attempted murder after he tried to burn his then 6-year-old son, David, to death in a Buena Park motel room.

Avdeef said his campaign also will focus on the need to raise prosecutors’ salaries, but he did not say where the Board of Supervisors should get the money for such pay increases.

Capizzi said Tuesday that he will not make a final decision to seek the district attorney’s post until next month. He declined comment on Avdeef’s campaign, saying: “I’m not a candidate yet, but there will be ample opportunity, I’m sure.”

Hicks could not be reached for comment Tuesday.