Councilman Is Target of Recall Drive : San Fernando: Activists claim that Daniel Acuna’s financial woes constitute a ‘breach of public trust.’

San Fernando city activists have launched a recall drive against embattled Councilman Daniel Acuna, calling his history of financial problems a “serious breach of public trust.”

Leaders of the recall movement filed their intent with the city clerk’s office Friday, four days after notifying Acuna at a City Council meeting. After the recall petition is approved by the city clerk, proponents of the recall have 90 days to gather the 1,500 signatures necessary to hold a special election.

Mary Jane Tuomy, a longtime city activist who is leading the recall movement, said she began the campaign after an article last month in The Times detailing the two-term councilman’s financial woes.

Acuna’s problems include personal bankruptcy, at least one campaign transaction in potential violation of state law and the existence of a questionable checking account. The councilman also borrowed money from several constituents and failed to pay them back on time.

Officials of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office and the state Fair Political Practices Commission said Wednesday that reviews of Acuna’s actions are under way to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted. The agencies would not release details about the nature of the reviews.

“I think if Danny had any real love for the city, he would resign,” Tuomy said.

Acuna could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Assistant City Clerk Wilma Miller said if enough signatures--25% of the city’s registered voters--are collected on the recall petition, voters will go to the polls in a special election within four months to determine whether Acuna should stay in office.

Miller said the election would cost about $15,000.

Several constituents said the councilman borrowed money from them and failed to pay them back until they threatened to expose him. More than $250,000 in debt, he declared bankruptcy in 1987 and since then has defaulted on a $6,000 bank loan. He was forced out of his 20-year job as a postal carrier when a sack of undelivered mail was found in his car. He lost his house and that of his parents to foreclosure.

Additionally, Acuna admitted that he has been paying his personal bills with checks drawn from an account in the name of the San Fernando Civic Action Committee, a non-existent organization.

Acuna has said he regretted his actions but was pushed into them by overwhelming personal problems that included a bitter 1987 divorce and a bankruptcy.

The councilman has been widely viewed as an outgoing civil servant and won election to his second term in April. For 20 years, he worked as the town postal carrier, known for his congeniality and willingness to listen to constituents.

Although Acuna’s financial woes appear to be largely confined to personal accounts, former campaign contributors and council colleagues have said his handling of them call into question his ethics and suitability to continue serving as a councilman.

He has denied that his financial problems have interfered with his political service. He has said he is the target of a campaign to discredit his reputation led by Tuomy, who is bitter because she did not win his vote to be appointed to a vacant City Council seat.