A Troubling Portrait of Supervisor Roth : * Allegations Paint Him as Politician Willing to Exploit System for His Own Good

Supervisor Don R. Roth isn’t talking much lately, which is unfortunate because there seems ever more to explain. First came allegations that Roth did not report--as required by state law--gifts and loans from political supporters, the Dougher family. Then it was revealed that Roth did not report how he acquired an interest in a firm owned by his friend and political consultant Harvey Englander. That added to a growing unease about Roth’s political finances.

Roth is the subject of two probes: an FBI inquiry said to be focusing on his relationship with the Doughers, who own several mobile home parks in Orange County, and a criminal investigation by the district attorney’s office. Both can help sort out the relationship between Roth and political allies.

Questions have been raised about whether Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi can be impartial, given that he was appointed by the board before being elected, and because he depends on the board for his budget. But Capizzi has vowed to pursue the inquiry vigorously. He should be given that chance.

The most serious allegations involving Roth center on the Doughers. Roth did not report three trips to Santa Catalina Island hosted by Gerald Dougher or 15 months of deferred rent--in effect, an interest-free loan--on a dwelling in one of the family’s mobile home parks. Roth originally said that Gerald Dougher was only helping him out after his marriage broke up. In any case, he said, the Doughers didn’t have business before the board. Not so. They won unanimous approval from the board--obviously including Roth’s vote--for a zone change on property they wanted to sell to a developer.

Roth has done one sensible thing lately: He canceled a trip to the opening of Euro Disneyland. Even though Roth would have reimbursed Disney for $1,767 in expenses, he decided it was not a good time to go because of “the current climate relative to gifts.”

The picture that is emerging, however, is one of a politician who seems not to hesitate to milk the system for his own benefit.