Probe Ends With Stern Rebuke for CHP Chief

Commissioner M.J. Hannigan of the California Highway Patrol was stiffly rebuked Friday for “inappropriate behavior and a lapse of professional judgment” for appearing to intervene on behalf of his daughters, who were involved in traffic violations.

The unusual public scolding ended a four-month internal investigation into allegations that the head of the CHP used his position improperly. The reprimand came in a two-page letter written by state Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Carl D. Covitz, the commissioner’s direct superior.

“Although I do not find significant violations of CHP policy or procedures, I do find inappropriate behavior and a lapse of professional judgment on your part,” Covitz’s letter said. “It is not enough that the commissioner not in fact intercede. Your conduct must be such that no fear and reasonable inference or perception of favoritism can arise from it.”

In a letter of reply, Hannigan told Covitz he accepted Covitz’s “judgment that because of my actions the perception may have been created” that he was interfering with CHP enforcement actions against his daughters. “I apologize for allowing such to occur.”

At another point, Hannigan said that in retrospect, his “actions may have demonstrated an error in judgment . . . “ but added that he was pleased the probe found no evidence that laws were broken to benefit his daughters.

The internal investigation was ordered last summer following news reports that some officers who patrol Hannigan’s suburban Sacramento neighborhood complained of harassment and intimidation by CHP headquarters after they stopped the Hannigan daughters and issued citations. One officer filed a complaint with his union.

In the most controversial case, Maureen Hannigan was cited by a CHP officer as being primarily at fault in a traffic crash involving two vehicles. A subsequent investigation was ordered and her level of involvement was downgraded to a contributor to the crash, while the other motorist was found to be chiefly at fault.

At the time, CHP headquarters officials defended the follow-up investigation as a routine matter to determine if officers were correctly applying the law.

A spokesman for Gov. Pete Wilson said Friday that the governor concurred in the rebuke and would take no further action. Covitz’s report detailing the investigation was turned over to Wilson on Wednesday and has not been made public because it is a confidential personnel document, Administration spokesmen said.

Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda), whose Assembly Transportation Committee has jurisdiction over the Highway Patrol, called for making Covitz’s report public.