KNBC’s Gage Rejects DWP Requests by Rival Stations : Media: The issue of possible conflict of interest is raised over the commissioner’s vote.

A Department of Water and Power commissioner who works as a KNBC-TV commentator voted Thursday to deny a request from two rival television stations for access to sensitive department documents.

Television stations KTTV and KCBS had asked that the DWP make public a list of the 100 largest residential users of water in the city, as Beverly Hills and San Diego have done.

TV commentator Mike Gage, a former aide to Mayor Tom Bradley, joined fellow commissioners in unanimously rejecting the request on grounds that releasing the information would violate the privacy rights of customers.

“The fact that he is on the payroll of a rival organization raises the appearance of a conflict of interest,” said KTTV attorney Jenifer Langley about Gage voting on the matter. Langley said the station is “looking into the matter and considering our options” in pursuit of the water use information.

Ed Guthman, a professor of journalism at USC and a member of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission said: “The standard for all public officials . . . should be that where there is even an appearance of conflict of interest, it’s best to avoid it.” Excusing himself from the vote would have been easy for Gage, Guthman said, as the measure was carried unanimously and the absence of his vote would not have changed the outcome.

Gage said there was no conflict of interest because the DWP’s policy applies to all news organizations. Gage said he felt strongly that this is a case where the right of privacy outweighs the public’s right to know.

“It’s hard for me to imagine how anyone in their right mind can perceive that protecting the privacy of our customers can be a conflict of interest,” Gage said.

He said he will ask the city attorney for an opinion. If it is determined that it is a conflict of interest, Gage said he will ask for a reconsideration of the vote.

Nancy Valenta, news director at KNBC, said, “Mike is fulfilling his duty on the DWP today” and that has nothing to do with his employment at KNBC. “We get no preferential treatment from Mike,” she said.