Links Use by Assistant D.A.’s Son Probed

Assistant Dist. Atty. Jan J. Nolan said Monday she was surprised that the Sheriff’s Department is investigating an allegation that her son misused her golf club membership.

Sheriff’s deputies have interviewed Nolan, one of the highest-ranking prosecutors in the district attorney’s office, in a nearly three-month investigation involving her membership at the Marbella Golf and Country Club in San Juan Capistrano. Nolan said investigators told her that an anonymous caller said her 27-year-old son was playing golf without paying additional fees.

But Nolan said that under an arrangement she worked out before joining the club in 1991, her son’s golfing fees were covered by her membership. She said then-General Manager Phillip Jacoby allowed her to extend golfing privileges to her son under arrangements usually reserved for spouses or family members under 21.

Jacoby approved the arrangement because the club already allowed boyfriends and girlfriends to play on the same membership at no additional cost and he saw no problem with a mother and son sharing a membership, Nolan said.

“I have no idea what prompted” the phone call, Nolan said. “Calls to We-Tip are always anonymous. I have no idea what their motivation is.”

Nolan said she was surprised that the matter was being investigated by sheriff’s deputies, because it could have been handled internally at the club if there were allegations of misuse.

“Other members knew he was my son. He was referred to as my son and there was never any question by any of the other members at Marbella,” Nolan said.

The Marbella general manager and president did not return phone calls Monday.

Sheriff’s Lt. Bob Rivas said: “We’re looking at the information that was supplied, so we’re not saying there is a criminal matter of any type.”

Once investigators complete their inquiry, they will pass on their report to the state attorney general’s office in San Diego to determine if any charges will be filed, Rivas said.

Rivas would not comment on why the investigation already has taken almost three months.