Righteousness Now Reigns Where Corruption Once Played a Role

GETTING RELIGION: If life were a “Twilight Zone” episode, this would be perfect for the show in which the viewer enters another dimension to find things exactly the opposite of what they truly are:

Today, a Buddhist monastery and teaching center sits on the site in West Sacramento where in July, 1991, former state Sen. Alan Robbins taped heavyweight lobbyist Clay Jackson’s offer of a $250,000 bribe in exchange for the senator’s help with legislation.

Robbins and Jackson both ended up in federal prison on racketeering charges, though Robbins shortened his stay by secretly recording Jackson’s offer for the FBI and testifying against him.

The site for the Robbins-Jackson breakfast rendezvous was the out-of-the-way El Rancho Hotel restaurant, chosen because of its location along a remote strip of motels and trailer parks unlikely to attract others in the Capitol crowd.

But nowadays, the goings-on at the old El Rancho are about as far as you can get from the machinations of political corruption.

The City of the Dharma Realm took it over more than a year ago, and a colony of Buddhist nuns has taken up residence there. They pray, meditate, chant and teach disciples to shun greed, selfishness, power urges, materialism and the other pitfalls of modern society.

In the words of one Buddhist nun, it is “the flip side of the coin” from what Robbins, a 20-year Democratic lawmaker from the San Fernando Valley, sought in the days when he admittedly extorted money from lobbyists and former business partners.

But the Buddhist nuns, who were recently told the story of what had once transpired where they were living and working, took heart that Robbins insists he is rehabilitated. Robbins was released from federal prison a year ago after serving a two-year sentence and is now urging reform of the campaign financing system.

“The Buddha said there is no greater goodness than that which comes after you have done something wrong and you wake up to it,” said one nun. “This man, if he’s really woken up from taking the wrong road, he can change and go down the proper road.”

*

SPOUSAL SALARIES: When Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) first came to Washington in 1982, his wife came along too. And Janis Berman was ready to work.

But the experienced political consultant and fund-raiser faced a tough time putting her skills to use. She tried jobs at places like the Smithsonian Institution, but as a Democratic congressman’s wife during a Republican Administration, she was discouraged from pursuing a job in government. So she applied for an administrator’s post at National Public Radio, only to set off alarms again.

Finally, she went to work at her husband’s congressional office, although House rules required that she do so for free.

Janis Berman has since moved back to Los Angeles, but she is pushing to make it easier for other congressional spouses. Frustrated by the experience, she wants a review of the 1962 anti-nepotism ban that prevents a lawmaker from hiring a spouse to work on his or her staff.

“I’ve raised the idea that we take a look at what was behind not paying spouses,” she told Roll Call. “What you’re assuming is that these wives aren’t worth anything.”

Although she is an active Democrat, Berman has an influential ally across the political aisle--Marianne Gingrich, the wife of Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). The two women served together on a committee set up this year to make the House a more family-friendly place.

*

WHAT CHARGE?Unlike many political campaigns, the race for the 5th District City Council seat has been, for the most part, devoid of the usual nasty barbs and personal attacks by candidates.

To date, the harshest note has been made by former school board member Roberta Weintraub, who criticized opposing candidate Barbara Yaroslavsky for accepting thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from a law firm that does extensive work for the city of Los Angeles.

In a news release, Weintraub’s office criticized Yaroslavsky for accepting more than $7,000 from Christensen, White, Miller, Fink & Jacobs. (In fact, she accepted $8,400 from 24 law firm employees.) The release said the firm has received significant contracts from the city for legal work and has also been a major contributor to Mayor Richard Riordan.

So, why is it that Weintraub doesn’t remember the news release that contained the criticism?

She was at a loss when asked about the release this week. “I didn’t know it came out,” she said, adding that she does remember talking about the subject with her campaign consultant, Parke Skelton, who wrote the release.

Despite the confusion, Weintraub said she stands by the release. In fact, she said she criticized Yaroslavsky to her face about the contributions at a recent candidates forum.

Laurie Saffian, Yaroslavsky’s campaign manager, defended the contributions and said that one of the partners in the firm is a longtime friend of Yaroslavsky’s.

“They are contributing because of the good work she has done, and they know her well,” Saffian said.

Saffian accused Weintraub of being hypocritical because, Saffian said, Weintraub has accepted contributions from developers who are likely to do business with the city. But she was at a loss to name the contributors offhand.

*

MORE FROM THE FIFTH: Meanwhile, County Supervisor Gloria Molina stepped into the political back-and-forth of the 5th District race Thursday when she endorsed Yaroslavsky.

As was expected, Molina was quickly accused of endorsing Yaroslavsky as a way to make points with her husband, Zev Yaroslavsky, the man who vacated the 5th District seat to become an influential member of the Board of Supervisors.

“I have no doubt that there is a relationship between the endorsement from Gloria Molina and the fact that she has to work with Zev,” said Mike Feuer, a former director of a legal clinic who is one of the other three candidates for the council seat.

Indeed, Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky have worked closely together on several county issues and are considered political allies.

But Saffian, Barbara Yaroslavsky’s campaign manager, dismisses such charges, saying Molina made the endorsement because she admires the work Barbara Yaroslavsky has done as a volunteer at the Los Angeles Free Clinic and believes she will make a good lawmaker.

“Gloria Molina did not have to endorse in this race,” Saffian said. “She endorsed Barbara because she is Barbara.”

Molina’s people echoed those sentiments. “Gloria is supporting Barbara because she thinks Barbara is the best candidate for the 5th District,” said Molina spokesman Michael Bustamante.

Craft reported from Sacramento, Lacey from Washington and Martin from Los Angeles.