Hill Goes Into Seclusion After Conviction : Legislature: The Whittier senator is expected to resign his seat but could be expelled from Senate if he does not. He was found guilty on political corruption charges.

State Sen. Frank Hill of Whittier, found guilty of political corruption charges, disappeared from public view Friday amid speculation over whether he would voluntarily resign or face potential expulsion.

Aides to the veteran Republican lawmaker said they did not know his whereabouts but believed that he had gone into seclusion with his wife and children in Southern California.

Other legislators, who rarely shrink from offering observations on virtually any issue, refused to discuss Hill’s situation, although expectations in the Capitol were that he would resign soon.

Hill, 40, was convicted Thursday of using his office as a member of the Assembly in 1988 to extort $2,500 from an FBI agent posing as a businessman in an FBI investigation of political corruption in the Capitol. He faces a prison sentence that could exceed six years.

Attention swung Friday to the nature and timing of Hill’s expected resignation from the San Gabriel Valley seat he has held since 1990. Under the law, Gov. Pete Wilson has 14 days after a vacancy occurs to call a special election.

Senate Leader Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward) said through spokeswoman Karen Caves that he was consulting other members of the Senate Rules Committee and the Legislature’s lawyer on what courses of action may be available to the Senate and Hill.

It was learned that Lockyer and Hill, a popular and affable legislator, had spoken by telephone Thursday night but neither could be reached for comment about what was said.

Separately, a highly placed source suggested that Hill may have the option of delaying his resignation until he is sentenced Sept. 12.

Unlike other elected state officials, legislators are not required to surrender their offices upon conviction. The state Constitution empowers the Assembly and Senate to determine the suitability of their members and provides for expulsion of a member by a two-thirds vote.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said there was speculation that Hill, whose legal bills are expected to exceed $1 million, may want to keep his seat and remain on the payroll until he is sentenced.

“It is a sticky issue,” the source said. “Everyone likes Frank.”

According to the source, “one argument runs, if he decides to appeal (the conviction), should he be forced out? The counter-argument is, should a convicted felon be voting on bills?”

A third option is for Hill to keep his seat until he is sentenced but forgo voting and participating in other official actions of the Senate, the source said.

One member of the Rules Committee, Sen. William Craven (R-Oceanside) said he does not know how he will vote if the issue comes before the committee. He said a “compassionate person” could make a case for delaying a resignation until sentencing, but “I think (citizens) would say that is wrong.”

Recent history suggests that the Senate wants a quick resignation. In 1990, state Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) became the first sitting legislator to be convicted in the federal investigation of political corruption in the Capitol.

Three days later, the Rules Committee stripped him of his committee chairmanships and threatened to start expulsion proceedings unless he stepped down swiftly. He did so within three days.

The last expulsion from the Senate occurred in 1905 when two Republicans and two Democrats were ousted as a result of a criminal scandal.