COUNTYWIDE : Hearing Requested on Poll-Guard Case

At the request of Garden Grove Assembly candidate Jerry Yudelson, a Democratic congressman from San Diego has called for a hearing on the 1988 Election Day decision by Orange County Republicans to place uniformed security guards at several polling places in Santa Ana.

Rep. Jim Bates said the U.S. Justice Department has taken too long to conclude its criminal investigation, which is being conducted with the Orange County district attorney’s office.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Bates wrote in a letter requesting the hearing about the lengthy investigation. “I am deeply concerned about the events of November, 1988, in Orange County and about the apparent delay by the Justice Department in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Bates’ letter was sent to Rep. Don Edwards (D-San Jose), chairman of the House subcommittee on civil and constitutional rights. A spokesman for Edwards said the letter was received Friday but that Edwards had not seen it yet.

Bates also sent a letter complaining about the length of the investigation to U.S. Atty. Gen. Richard Thornburgh.

Last year, the county Republican Party and the campaign of Assemblyman Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) contributed to a $400,000 court settlement of a lawsuit brought by a group of Latino voters who charged that they were intimidated and that their civil rights were violated by the presence of guards at some polls in the 72nd Assembly District.

Yudelson is running against Tom Umberg in a Democratic primary for the seat Pringle now has.

“I will not rest until those responsible for this outrage are charged with the crimes they committed,” Yudelson said.