GARDEN GROVE : Yudelson Sues to Halt Pringle Fund Raising

Democratic Assembly candidate Jerry Yudelson has filed a lawsuit against Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) that seeks to halt the incumbent’s fund raising, alleging that he received improper contributions.

The suit is identical to a complaint that Yudelson filed with the state Fair Political Practices Commission last August. But Yudelson said the FPPC investigation is taking too long, allowing Pringle to use the disputed contributions in his reelection campaign.

“Why should Pringle be allowed to build his campaign war chest in such an outrageous scofflaw manner?” Yudelson said.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Orange County Superior Court, focuses on $55,012 that Pringle raised last year to defend himself against a threatened recall attempt and a lawsuit.

The lawsuit was brought by voters who charged that their civil rights were violated on Election Day in 1988 when Pringle’s campaign hired uniformed guards at polling places in predominantly Latino neighborhoods. It has since been settled for $480,000.

Yudelson charges that the money Pringle raised for the recall and the lawsuit should be subject to the $1,000 contribution limit that was approved by voters in 1988. Pringle has responded, however, that the limits do not apply to the lawsuit or the threatened recall, only primary and general election campaigns.

Pringle said Wednesday he believes Yudelson’s suit was intended only to get publicity.

The suit asks that Pringle be prevented from raising any more money for his campaign until the disputed funds are repaid. No date has been set for a court hearing on the issue, said attorney Mark Rosen, representing Yudelson.