Montoya ‘Fixated’ on Money, Trial Told

Former sports agent Michael Trope testified Thursday that Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) seemed to be “fixated with money” and requested campaign contributions or honorariums from Trope every time the two met.

Under cross-examination, however, Trope also testified that Montoya never threatened to vote against bills favored by Trope if the sports agent failed to make a contribution.

Montoya has been charged with 12 counts of extortion, bribery, racketeering and money laundering as a result of a federal undercover investigation of political corruption in the state Capitol.

The government charges that in eight separate cases, Montoya was willing to trade action on legislation for money. One of those cases involves legislation regulating sports agents, which has affected Trope as well as professional athletes.

Trope, the first witness in the trial, had testified Wednesday that Montoya sent him a “schedule of fees” spelling out when he should give the senator a total of $10,000 in campaign contributions and speaking fees. Trope ultimately gave Montoya $8,100 in contributions.

Under questioning Thursday from Assistant U.S. Atty. John Panneton, the former Los Angeles sports agent testified that Montoya complained about the cost of campaigning and made it clear “the car needed gas in order to run.”

“There was always some mention of money, making a contribution, good investments,” Trope said. “Sen. Montoya appeared to be fixated with money.”

But under cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Kelton, Trope also said that Montoya did not tell him he must contribute in order to win the senator’s vote.

At one point, Trope testified, he told Montoya that he was incensed by a request that he give the senator an honorarium. “He said if I didn’t feel comfortable with making an honorarium, that was fine,” Trope said.

Trope also said he was in general agreement with the senator’s political philosophy and that if he had met Montoya apart from the legislation affecting sports agents, he “probably would have made” a campaign contribution.

In a separate action Thursday, U.S. District Judge Milton L. Schwartz ordered former Yolo County Sheriff Rod Graham to stand trial in March on charges of extortion and conspiracy arising from the federal undercover investigation. Graham allegedly demanded $3,650 in campaign contributions from a West Sacramento developer in exchange for extra police protection.