Investigation of Mayor Bradley

So Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley is not a crook. And I suppose the report by City Atty. James K. Hahn (Part I, Sept. 14) is not a whitewash. Hahn’s “unprecedented investigation” of the mayor’s finances (which Bradley claims he insisted upon) lasted six months, ended with a day’s conversation with the mayor as the final witness in which Bradley told him he had done nothing wrong, and concluded that “by George, no crimes had been committed.”

If the $18,000 paid by Far East National Bank was not a bribe to get the $2 million in taxpayer funds, which were deposited under highly irregular circumstances after Bradley called the city treasurer about it, then why did Bradley give the money back? And why did personnel in the treasurer’s office falsify documents to conceal Bradley’s role? Does anyone really believe Bradley did not have control of those public servants!

Far East Bank must think this is a joke. Bank officials got what they paid the $18,000 for and then they got their money back!

Talk about sleaze! Comparing Hahn’s report with the mayor’s claims of vindication, one can only conclude that the mayor has forgotten what honor and integrity mean. If he had any shred left of the integrity with which he claims he has served the public for 47 years, he would leave office voluntarily, immediately.

HENRY M. BISSELL

Los Angeles