Svorinich Seeks Apology From Former Aide : Politics: Onetime member of councilman’s staff, who accused him of improper conduct, refuses retraction.

After enduring weeks of blistering criticism, Los Angeles City Councilman Rudy Svorinich Jr. has demanded that a former staff member retract allegations that the lawmaker engaged in improper conduct, including the acceptance of unreported campaign contributions.

The demand came in a letter sent to John Barbieri,one of six former Svorinich aides to leave the councilman’s office three months ago. The exodus, described by Svorinich as a reorganization, led the former staffers to level various accusations against the councilman.

Noting that the accusations were reported by several newspapers, Svorinich’s attorney, Skip Miller, said in an April 4 letter sent to Barbieri: “We have reason to believe that these false and spiteful statements were made with malicious and malevolent intent and that you had knowledge of the falsity of each of them when made.”

Barbieri on Friday refused to issue the apology demanded by the councilman.

“Rudy has managed to defame his own character just fine without the help of me and many others,” Barbieri said.

Svorinich could not be reached for comment about the letter. Miller claimed Barbieri’s comments were prompted by revenge stemming from disappointment that he no longer was working for the councilman.

“He is the source of the ugliness, the rumors, the innuendoes, the falsehoods,” Miller said. “We want him to stop his smear campaign. It is totally unwarranted. . . . It is just the age-old story of a disgruntled ex-employee.”

Although the letter implies a lawsuit for slander could be filed against Barbieri, Miller said no decision has been made about such an action.

Previously, Svorinich has strongly denied the allegations by Barbieri and others that campaign contributions were brought to Svorinich’s San Pedro office and that he and an aide have done work for his Wilmington paint store on city time.

The allegations have been under investigation by the city’s Ethics Commission and the county district attorney’s office.