Wilson to Name Inaugural Events Contributors : Politics: Criticism of initial plan against disclosure led to decision to reveal identities of donors giving from $25 to $25,000 for the $2.5-million festivities.

In the face of criticism, Gov.-elect Pete Wilson’s staff has reversed its position and decided to name the political supporters and special interests who will foot the bill for a lavish series of inauguration events next month.

Inaugural officials said at the “earliest possible opportunity,” they will identify everyone from those buying $25 tickets to donors chipping in up to $25,000 to pay for the several ceremonies and parties held the week Wilson is sworn in. The formal inauguration is Jan. 7.

“Basically Pete Wilson has been a lifelong advocate of campaign disclosure and even though this is a social and not a political event, we decided that the best way to clear up misconceptions or misunderstandings would be to release those names,” said inauguration spokesman Dan Schnur.

He said Wilson would become the first governor in California history to voluntarily disclose contributors to inauguration events.

Although the inaugural committee insisted there was no legal requirement for disclosure, some public advocates had raised concerns about the amount of money Wilson was collecting for the events and the number of $10,000 and $25,000 contributions he was seeking. They contended there was little difference between a contribution to a political campaign and a contribution to a social event and said both should be disclosed.

The $2.5-million inaugural festivities include two balls, an entertainment gala, a Mexican-style fiesta, an ecumenical religious service, a Sacramento community “welcome,” and a separate inaugural celebration in San Diego, Wilson’s home town.

While three of the events are open free to the public, nominal paid admission is required for others. But officials have said the primary financing for the events will come from the $10,000 “boxes” being sold for the Inaugural Ball and the $25,000 being asked of lobbyists and supporters as overall “sponsors.”

Lisa Foster, executive director of the campaign reform advocacy group Common Cause, said the disclosure decision “sets the right tone” and makes “a good start” for the incoming Wilson Administration.

“They’re obviously doing the right thing and we applaud them for making that decision,” she said. “I’m not frankly surprised that upon reflection they decided the public has the right to know who’s funding the inauguration.”

Schnur said the inaugural committee had decided not to disclose contributors because traditionally governors had not done so and because legal opinions indicated disclosure wasn’t required.

“But once we looked at the entire issue in the larger scope, especially Pete Wilson’s strong feelings about campaign financial disclosure, we decided this was one place where tradition needed to be changed,” he said.

He maintained that officials still see a difference between contributions to political campaigns and contributions to social events and that whether an individual “buys a $25 ticket or agrees to be a $25,000 sponsor there will be exactly the same level of political consideration--absolutely zero.”

The decision to disclose inaugural contributors came as Wilson also made several more staff appointments. The formal appointments included many from his inner circle which had been announced earlier. Bob White, his chief of staff since 1968, was formally named to the same position in the new Administration. Otto Bos, a longtime aide, was given the post of director of communications and public affairs. Bill Livingstone was appointed to continue as his press secretary.

Other appointments included:

* Sal Vazquez, 34, community relations director. He is now a government relations representative for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

* Marty Wilson, 36, deputy chief of staff. Wilson, who is no relation to the governor, is a longtime aide who headed the Republican get-out-the-vote effort this year and now directs the inaugural committee.

* Margaret Reid, 27, scheduling secretary. She was a member of Wilson’s senatorial staff.

* Bella Meese, 45, deputy director of community relations. She formerly worked on the staffs of both Gov. George Deukmejian and President George Bush.

* Loren Kaye, 34, Cabinet secretary. A former Deukmejian aide, he was research director for the Wilson campaign.

* Fred Beteta, 32, director of advance. He worked in Wilson’s senatorial office in Los Angeles.