True Graft in the Statehouse

Corruption has been hanging over California’s capitol for years. Now it’s official: true graft in the Statehouse. State Sen. Joseph Montoya stands convicted on five federal criminal counts of extortion, one of racketeering and one of money laundering. And Montoya’s is not necessarily an isolated case. More prosecutions could follow from the elaborate FBI sting operation that has been under way for several years.

There is not much that could make the Legislature’s reputation among voters worse than it is. But the conviction of the Whittier Democrat is certain to further deepen the public distrust of lawmakers. And sadly, such feelings spill over onto the reputations of the many legislators who work hard in the public’s behalf and seek no special rewards for themselves.

Legislative leaders must now move with alacrity to enact the toughest possible ethics law, which will implement a reform measure already on the June election ballot. There must be no loopholes that opponents can use to raise further suspicion in the minds of voters that somehow lawmakers will find a way to reap unearned personal benefits from their public service. Then, the Legislature should set to work on a campaign-finance law that will end all possibility of the sort of contribution shakedown that was outlined by the evidence in the Montoya trial.

As for Montoya himself, the Senate leadership should at least strip him of his committee chairmanship immediately. Then, should Montoya refuse to resign, the leaders should initiate action at the appropriate time to expel him from the Senate.

For too long, Sacramento has behaved as if this whole nasty mess would just go away and legislators could get back to business as usual. The shock of the conviction should convince them that the voters will stand for no less--and deserve no less--than a thorough housecleaning.