LOCAL ELECTIONS SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL : Complaint Filed Against Candidate as Mudslinging Starts Early

Even though the next election in Santa Ana is five months away, the mudslinging has already begun in this city known for its heated political races.

Planning Commissioner Don Sizemore has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission and the county district attorney’s office against school board member Robert L. Richardson, alleging that Richardson failed to file a financial disclosure statement in January. Under state law, elected officials are required to file the disclosure statements every July and January.

According to the registrar of voters office, Richardson did not file a statement for the latter portion of last year. The deadline for the statement was Jan. 31. Penalties for failing to file a statement on time is $10 for each day the statement is late.

“It’s an old political axiom that when somebody accuses you of wrongdoing, you reveal what wrongs he has done,” Sizemore said, referring to charges Richardson has made. “It’s infuriating when somebody tries to smear you, and it turns out that they are the real lawbreakers.”

Richardson, who is executive assistant to County Supervisor Roger R. Stanton, said he believes he filed the statement on time. Sizemore is making charges because he is seeking revenge, Richardson said.

Richardson, who announced his candidacy for City Council on Thursday, threw the first punch by accusing Sizemore and fellow Commissioner George Hanna of illegally soliciting money for incumbent Councilman Ron May.

Richardson said that the two commissioners may have violated state campaign contribution laws by allowing their names and titles to be used on a flyer for a major fund-raiser for May on Thursday. State law prohibits appointed officials, including planning commissioners, from soliciting campaign funds of more than $250 from individuals who have business with their agency or board.

Sizemore said he spent Friday morning examining Richardson’s campaign statements to find anything that smacked of wrongdoing.

Richardson said he did not receive any contributions as a school board member from July to December, 1989. He said he did write a $200 check as a donation to the Santa Ana High School yearbook.

“I don’t want to be barbecued for something like this,” Richardson said. “I think this is unfortunate that this would be an issue. It would simply be a lot easier if May responded to my charges.”