Restitution Sought for Campaign Costs

An accountant who successfully challenged Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton’s campaign for auditor-controller filed papers in Superior Court on Monday asking a judge to force the county--or Stratton--to pay his attorney’s fees.

William Baker, one of five candidates for Ventura County auditor-controller, said he is seeking about $10,000 in restitution for his costs to get Stratton off the ballot.

Lawyers for Baker successfully argued earlier this month that Stratton did not have the qualifications required by law to seek the office.

“I did the taxpayers of Ventura County a favor,” Baker said Monday. “He may have made some decisions that were based on politics rather than a professional auditor-controller.”

County Counsel James McBride said Monday that his office will fight the motion, which is scheduled to be heard by Judge William L. Peck on May 24. Peck ruled April 11 that Stratton was ineligible for the office because he does not possess a degree in accounting.

“We don’t think they’re entitled to recovery against the county because the county isn’t in opposition,” McBride said. “(County Clerk) Richard Dean is simply named because he’s the one who’s responsible for the ballot.”

Stratton said Monday that he was the victim in the case, and that his understanding of Peck’s ruling was that each side would bear its own costs.

Baker is “basically saying that if you lose the case, you have to pay the fees,” Stratton said. “I don’t think that’s very American.”

Candidates vying for the position include Baker, appointed incumbent Thomas O. Mahon, Richard Morrisset of Ventura, Clifford Wigen of Simi Valley and Scott Weiss of Ventura.