Burke’s Win Over Watson Confirmed by Judge : Politics: Loser’s attorneys fail to prove misconduct or vote tampering in the November supervisorial balloting.

A Superior Court judge Friday confirmed Yvonne Brathwaite Burke’s victory in last year’s election for Los Angeles County supervisor, saying attorneys for her challenger, state Sen. Diane Watson, had failed to prove any misconduct or vote tampering.

“While there have been some hints and allusions to some human error during the course of this election, there is no credible evidence that would amount to malconduct of the precinct ward,” Superior Court Judge Arthur Jean said.

Burke narrowly defeated Watson (D-Los Angeles) in the November election, collecting 207,641 votes, or 50.3%. Watson gathered 205,058 votes, or 49.7%.

Just hours after the election, even before the final tally had been released, Watson alleged that her campaign staff had found evidence of vote tampering. She said precinct workers campaigned at polling stations and turned away voters who may have voted for her.

“It appears to me from all of the evidence that the contestant has failed to make a showing,” the judge said. “It is the obligation of this court to confirm Yvonne Burke as the supervisor of the 2nd District.”

On Thursday, the same judge threw out alleged vote-tampering evidence after Watson supplied only 10 questioned names, which was insufficient to change the election outcome.

“They’ve excluded all of my evidence, and without my evidence I can’t make a factual case,” said attorney John W. Smith, who represents Watson.

At a news conference after the judge’s decision was announced, Burke said she felt relieved that the legal battle was finally settled.

“I’m glad it’s over because I need to get busy dealing with the problems of the people of the 2nd District,” she said. “It’s good to get it over with. It has not been a very positive thing for politics in Los Angeles County.”