State Probing Conduct by L.B. Councilman’s Campaign

The Secretary of State has begun an investigation into allegations that supporters of newly elected Long Beach City Councilman Mike Donelon and some city police officers attempted to intimidate voters during last month’s special election.

The investigation was requested by the state legislature’s Latino Legislative Caucus after it received a complaint from a local Latino organization.

The complaint contended that Donelon campaign workers phoned dozens of voters and warned that their absentee ballots may be invalid. The callers also hinted that police were investigating alleged voter fraud and deceptive campaigning by supporters of Donelon’s opponent, Tonia Reyes Uranga.

Uranga’s campaign workers also said they felt intimidated, according to the complaint, when a police officer appeared at campaign headquarters the night before the election and told volunteers it was illegal to hang campaign literature on doors during certain hours.

“It looks as if he either knew exactly what he was doing and tried to suppress the Uranga vote, or he was misinformed,” said Darren Chesin, chief consultant for the state Senate Committee on Elections and Reapportionment. The committee is chaired by Sen. Richard G. Polanco (D-Los Angeles), who heads the Latino Legislative Caucus and requested the investigation.

Long Beach police have never received a complaint about the incident, said spokeswoman Karen Kerr, who declined further comment.

Both Donelon and his campaign manager, Jeff Adler, said their campaigns also had been warned about hanging campaign literature on doors after dark.

Donelon said the investigation “is no more than political posturing. I’m not in the least bit concerned.”

Donelon said he has asked the district attorney’s office to investigate allegations that Uranga’s campaign duped voters into signing up for unwanted absentee ballots.

Uranga has denied any improprieties in distributing absentee ballots.

The battle between Donelon and Uranga for the open 7th District council seat began last spring.

Last month’s special election was scheduled after the two candidates finished in a virtual tie in last June’s runoff election.

Donelon won the special election handily.

The complaint now being investigated by the Secretary of State’s office originated with an organization called IMAGE of Greater Long Beach.

The Secretary of State’s office could not estimate when the investigation will be completed, a spokesman said.