Schabarum Makes a Move to Proposed Redrawn 1st District

Retiring Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum, who has bitterly opposed a lawsuit seeking a realignment of supervisorial district boundaries, has moved out of his 1st District into the proposed redrawn 1st District.

Schabarum recently moved out of his Covina home and now divides most of his time between a condominium on Bunker Hill and a townhouse in the desert community of Indian Wells, a Schabarum aide said.

Schabarum’s condominium is in Supervisor Ed Edelman’s 3rd District. But Schabarum spokeswoman Judy Hammond pointed out the condominium is in the new 1st District, as proposed by a federal judge who ruled that the existing supervisorial district boundaries discriminate against Latinos. The new district lines, however, are on hold pending review by an appeals court.

Whether Schabarum’s move poses legal problems is unclear.

According to the County Charter, each supervisor “must be an elector of the district which he represents (and) must reside therein during his incumbency.”

Chief Assistant County Counsel Gerald Crump said, “Voter registration is a key factor in determining residency.” Schabarum recently changed his voter registration to his son Frank’s Covina home, which is in the existing 1st District. Crump, however, said he could not offer a conclusive legal opinion and would not unless requested by the Board of Supervisors.

A district attorney’s spokesman said the only way to enforce Charter requirements is for a citizen to file a lawsuit.

Schabarum did not return calls. But Hammond said of the change of address: “He doesn’t consider it a big deal.”

Schabarum, 61, was planning to retire after 18 years on the board when his term expires Dec. 3. But his term was extended indefinitely by an appeals court, which postponed an election to choose his successor pending a decision in the voting rights case.

“Pete’s covered on all bases,” Hammond said. “He lives in both districts. He has a condo in the new 1st District. He has his registration in the old 1st District.”

Hammond said Schabarum was “up front” about the address change, sending to friends a card that read: “After 28 years in the same place, they couldn’t decide where to live. . . . That’s why Pete and Gerry Schabarum moved uptown and out of town.” The card says the Schabarums can be reached weekends at his house in Indian Wells and weekdays at the Bunker Hill condominium.

Hammond said Schabarum rented the condominium months ago for business use after he retires from the board but decided to move in after the lease on a house he was renting in West Covina recently expired.