Jan Krajewski; Brown Backer Set Up Campaign’s 800 Number

Jan Krajewski II, a confidant of former California Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. who conceived Brown’s innovative toll-free 800 phone line to raise money for his ill-fated presidential campaign last year, has died. He was 72.

Krajewski, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Poland, died June 6 in Santa Monica.

The entrepreneur, whose firm Compucall handled the fund-raising campaign, downplayed his role in setting up the 800 number, which Brown mentioned on national television at every opportunity. He insisted that the phone-in fund-raising system was all Brown’s idea.

But Cathy Calfo, executive officer of the California Democratic Party when Brown was party chairman in 1990, told The Times that Krajewski had originally suggested the toll-free line as a fund-raising system for the Democrats. She said he deserved the credit for its use in Brown’s campaign.

Born and reared in Lvov, Poland, Krajewski earned British and Polish medals for his exploits as a Royal Air Force fighter pilot during World War II.

He later moved to South Africa, where he was chairman of Consolidated Chrome Corp. and formed the International Gold Corp., which manufactured the internationally marketed krugerrand.

Emigrating to the United States in 1961, Krajewski formed several businesses, including Compucall telemarketers and an insurance company, Devonshire Coverage Corp. In 1988 he established Solidarity Mint, which makes commemorative coins and medallions.

Krajewski is survived by his wife, Anastazja; one son, Jan III, and three daughters, Madeleine, Karen and Lynne. Another daughter, Karolina, was drowned in an accident when the family was vacationing with Brown in Baja California in 1983.

Memorial services are scheduled for 5 p.m. today at St. Monica Church, 725 California Ave., Santa Monica.

The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to a children’s charity.