‘Fund-Raiser’ Is Reportedly Word Used in Dinner Memo : Campaign: The document by the campaign manager of former Assembly candidate Peter von Elten reportedly outlined several ‘fund-raisers’ and listed the contributions expected.

A memo prepared in advance of a controversial dinner attended by Orange County Planning Commissioners Stephen A. Nordeck and Roger D. Slates billed the affair as a political fund-raiser at which expected contributions were to be “$1,000,” a series of interviews revealed Monday.

The memo, written by the campaign manager of former Assembly candidate Peter von Elten, reportedly outlined several forthcoming “fund-raisers” on the candidate’s behalf. Among them was the “Steve Nordeck/Roger Slates” event on May 15 at the Trabuco Oaks Steak House, a restaurant Nordeck owns.

Nordeck and Slates have repeatedly denied that they played any role in the dinner--contrary to statements from several people who attended--or that they solicited contributions on Von Elten’s behalf from guests, who included representatives of South County developers.

The Orange County district attorney, however, is investigating whether the dinner violated state conflict-of-interest law, which prohibits appointed board members from soliciting political contributions of $250 or more from individuals who have projects pending before them.

Slates, 60, continued to deny any involvement in the dinner Monday, but he acknowledged that the memo--written by Von Elten campaign chairman Dave Ellis--has become an issue in the investigation.

“I didn’t write it; I didn’t sign it,” Slates said of the Ellis memo. “If he wrote something like that, I didn’t authorize anything like that, and I doubt if Steve (Nordeck) did. In fact, I know he didn’t. I’ve talked to him.”

Nordeck, 48, could not be reached for comment. He has previously said he was present on and off throughout the evening only in his role as owner of the restaurant.

Ellis confirmed Monday that he prepared the memo, but he said he never discussed it with Nordeck or Slates. Ellis has previously said that Von Elten received no contributions at the dinner, which was disclosed by The Times shortly after it occurred.

“They had nothing to do with it . . . ,” said Ellis, who refused to provide a copy of the memo to The Times. “I can’t say anything else until this darned investigation goes away.”

Ellis said he prepared the memo for former Supervisor Bruce Nestande, who, he said, had asked for a written list of coming fund-raising events for the candidate.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez said Monday that Ellis telephoned him several weeks ago to notify him that the memo “was emerging as an issue” in the investigation. Vasquez said Nestande showed him a copy of the memo some time later.

Vasquez, who appointed Nordeck to the Planning Commission last year, said he had not discussed the memo with Nordeck and would not comment until after the investigation is compete.

“I’m going to reserve any comment until then,” Vasquez said.

Nestande, who did not attend the dinner, also refused to discuss the reported memo. “I’m not going to comment,” Nestande said. “To maintain the integrity of the inquiry confidentiality should be observed.”

Supervisor Harriett M. Wieder, who appointed Slates to the Planning Commission last year, said Monday that Vasquez had told her about the memo last week but that she has not seen it. Wieder, who has publicly scolded Slates for having any part in the dinner, defended her appointee Monday.

Wieder said it is her understanding that the dinner was not a formal fund-raiser but rather a “meet and greet” and that the guests, other than Nestande, had been invited by “word of mouth.” Wieder said she did not know why Ellis had referred to it as a fund-raiser in his memo to Nestande.

“I can’t speak for Dave Ellis,” Wieder said. “I also understand that he (Nestande) requested a letter. . . . I was real shocked that he was even involved.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Wallace J. Wade, who is heading the investigation, declined to comment on the memo.