POLITICIAN WATCH : Stinging Message

Another shock wave is going through Sacramento with the conviction of former state Sen. Paul Carpenter on charges of racketeering, extortion, conspiracy and bribery.

Carpenter, a Democrat who represented Orange County before his election to the State Board of Equalization, follows in the muddied footsteps of state Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier), who was sent to federal prison for selling his vote to special interests. Both were targets of an FBI sting that could ensnare other legislators as well.

The political nose dives taken by both men aren’t viewed with surprise or even much regret in the Capitol; both legislators were known for blatantly pressuring contributors.

What’s sobering about their indictments is that they stepped over the line in a process that all successful politicians must know well: campaign fund-raising.

And money to fuel ever-more-costly elections comes mostly from those who have something to gain from the Legislature. As a result, elective politics has been drawn into an ethical quagmire.

Of course, Carpenter is a bad apple. He admitted at the trial that he gave special “access” to big contributors he didn’t give to others. Federal prosecutors said this was illegal, and jurors agreed.

In June, voters passed Proposition 112, imposing new ethical standards on legislators and other state officers. That should help define limits for the necessary evil of campaign fund-raising.

But an even stronger and more sobering message has been sent by Carpenter’s conviction.