Christopher and Arguelles Commissions Merge

Separate commissions set up by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and Police Chief Daryl F. Gates to investigate the city Police Department were merged Thursday as the fierce political battle between the mayor and the chief escalated.

The heads of the panels--former Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher and retired state Supreme Court Justice John Arguelles--said they were seeking to distance themselves from the clash as the Police Commission forced Gates to take a leave.

Meanwhile, The Times found that two appointees of Bradley to the Christopher Commission were involved in recent efforts to obtain a lucrative city contract for a Lockheed Corp. subsidiary. And two city councilmen said this raises questions about the independence of the two appointees.

The chief, under pressure to resign after the police beating of Rodney G. King, last week named Arguelles to head a panel to examine department practices. Bradley followed this week by naming Christopher to head a second blue-ribbon investigating commission.

Confusion and questions about independence had surrounded both of the hastily created panels. The merger came after a series of discussions had achieved a rare point of agreement between Gates and Bradley in the month-old crisis.

“In order to maximize the commission’s contribution to the community,” Christopher and Arguelles said in a joint statement, “we must concentrate on making an objective and thorough study of the fundamental long-term issues without being drawn into the controversy over the tenure of Chief Gates.”

The unification is intended to bolster public confidence in the inquiry and its independence.

However, records and interviews show that two Bradley appointees to the new nine-member panel--former Lockheed Corp. Chairman Roy A. Anderson and lawyer-lobbyist Mickey Kantor--have met with Councilman Nate Holden and other city officials regarding a $49-million contract for its subsidiary, Lockheed Information Management Services Co., to process parking tickets.

Holden, chairman of the council committee reviewing the proposed contract, said he had doubts about the independence of the two commission members.

“They’ve got to do what the man (Bradley) tells them because they want the big contract,” he said.

Councilman Hal Bernson, another member of the committee reviewing the contract, said the pending contract “does raise some conflicts questions.”

Records show Anderson and other Lockheed officials have met with Bradley four times in recent years. Kantor, who said Bradley called him to invite him to serve on the police investigation panel, recalled one meeting last year in the mayor’s office in which Lockheed’s handling of parking tickets was discussed.

But he and Anderson denied that the pending contract would influence their conduct on the Christopher Commission. Anderson resigned from the Lockheed board of directors in January but still has a consulting contract.

“Mr. Anderson’s, and I hope my reputation, are both beyond reproach,” said Kantor. “We would not do anything on this commission that would be colored by that particular contract.”

Said Anderson: “The parking contract is entirely separate (from the Christopher Commission’s work). I don’t want any taint on the commission. I’d get off the commission if I thought there was going to be any taint.”

Bradley’s office refused to answer questions about the mayor’s meetings with Lockheed officials--nor would a spokeswoman say what the mayor knew about the efforts of Kantor and Anderson on behalf of LIMS.

Bradley spokeswoman Val Bunting said in a statement: “This commission and each of its members will withstand the toughest scrutiny. The mayor and Warren Christopher agreed upon each member of the commission because of their impeccable credentials.”

The Lockheed subsidiary’s performance came under fire last year when The Times reported that $226.6 million in parking fines had gone uncollected in Los Angeles. Although LIMS was the high bidder for a new five-year contract last year, city transportation officials recommended the firm.

The Times reported last month that the FBI is examining the parking ticket contract. Sources said agents asked two mid-level LIMS employees whether any city officials had requested or been given money. The FBI declined to comment, but Lockheed officials said they have been assured by federal officials that the firm is not being investigated.

Gates on Thursday said the Christopher and Arguelles panel are a “good group.”

It also was announced Thursday that two new commission members had been appointed, attorney Willie Barnes, a former state corporations commissioner, and Richard M. Mosk, a former judge who served as a member of the Warren Commission.

Stepping down from the panel was James H. Zumberge, the recently retired president of USC, who noted another USC dean is already serving.