Files for Bill on Resort Subpoenaed : Lobbying: Federal political corruption probe is focusing on vetoed measure for a proposed hotel complex in Indian Wells.

A federal grand jury investigating political corruption has files of a heavily lobbied bill that would have given special treatment to a luxury resort planned near Palm Springs, two lawmakers said Monday.

One of the grand jury’s targets, lobbyist Clayton R. Jackson, was paid $153,000 by the Marriott Corp., which opposed the 1988 measure sought by a rival developer, according to Jackson’s lobbying reports. The bill was vetoed by former Gov. George Deukmejian.

The legislation, by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside), dealt with plans to build a five-hotel complex in a redevelopment area in the affluent city of Indian Wells. The measure would have allowed the city to use redevelopment funds to build state-required low-income housing outside the city limits, a move that required the Legislature’s approval.

Presley on Monday confirmed that his files on the bill were subpoenaed last week, recalling that the legislation evolved from “a little district bill” into a heavily lobbied proposal.

“It became the damnedest thing,” Presley said. “First thing you know there are 900 lobbyists lined up on both sides.”

Assemblyman Dan Hauser (D-Arcata), chairman of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee, said his panel’s files on the Indian Wells bill were also subpoenaed Thursday.

The grand jury in recent months has picked up the pace of its probe of state government corruption, focusing on Jackson and former Sen. Paul B. Carpenter, according to sources close to the investigation.

In 1991, Jackson’s office was raided by FBI agents after former Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) agreed to plead guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for providing prosecutors information about Jackson and others.

In his court statement, Robbins made no mention of the Indian Wells legislation.

However, Donald H. Heller, Jackson’s lawyer, said Monday: “I am aware that Alan Robbins has made allegations regarding that bill and others.”

But Heller questioned Robbins’ credibility, describing the onetime lawmaker as “a convicted cheat and felon.” Heller stressed that his client has done nothing illegal and has a reputation “for integrity and honesty.”

One bill cited by Robbins when he entered his guilty plea was a 1986 measure lobbied by Jackson to help a coalition of liquor companies and gas station owners end restrictions on service stations selling alcohol to motorists.

Several legislative sources said that the grand jury also was seeking to subpoena files on the alcohol bill, which died in committee.

The subpoenas come as the grand jury appears to be wrapping up inquiries into Jackson and Carpenter, who is awaiting a retrial on political corruption charges.

In a Jan. 15 court document, Carpenter’s attorneys said they expect him “to be indicted on a new charge in the next 30 days.”