Orange County Supervisor Roth Calls Charges Unjust : Probe: Politician accused of conflict of interest says he will seek reelection in 1994.

In his first public comments on the scandal that has threatened his career, Orange County Supervisor Don R. Roth said this week that he has been “unjustly accused” of conflict-of-interest violations and announced that he will seek reelection in 1994.

In an interview on a cable television program airing this week and next in parts of Orange County, Roth predicted that he will be exonerated of any wrongdoing. He blamed his problems on his ex-wife, a family of onetime political supporters, and “a media blitz against me.”

At the same time, the two-term supervisor acknowledged the toll taken by ongoing criminal investigations into allegations of influence peddling against him.

“To tarnish my integrity, it’s really been a very, very difficult thing for me in my heart,” said Roth, whose position as mayor of Anaheim in the 1980s helped him become one of the county’s most powerful politicians. “My integrity and my honesty is very, very important to me.”

Since May, the Orange County district attorney’s office has been investigating whether Roth exchanged political favors for gifts from business people. The FBI says it is probing similar allegations.

Roth has accepted thousands of dollars in home improvements, flight upgrades, trips and meals, as well as an $8,500 loan and other items from local business people in recent years, The Times has reported.

Roth did not report any of these items as gifts on state-required disclosure statements. He has also voted on several county matters affecting the donors, representing possible violations of state conflict-of-interest law, experts say.

In an interview in April, Roth defended his acceptance of an $8,500 rent deferral and three trips to Santa Catalina Island from a family of mobile home park owners who have supported him politically and had business before the county last December.

Since that time, however, he has refused to discuss questions about his potential conflicts of interest, referring all comment to his lawyers and aides.

“I feel that I’ve been unjustly accused, and I’ve not had an opportunity to have my day in court,” Roth said during the cable show.

Roth was not asked about--and did not discuss--any of the specific allegations. He said the affair was “triggered” by a “a very bitter divorce” from his ex-wife, Jackie Roth, an ongoing lawsuit between mobile home park owners Gerard and Donald Dougher over the family business, and the media.

Roth predicted that he will be able to clear his name nonetheless--and continue his political career. Citing the “overwhelming” support from his constituents, he vowed: “I’m going to run for reelection.”