Stanton Not First O.C. Official to Draw Scrutiny

The Orange County district attorney’s investigation into allegations that Supervisor Roger R. Stanton revealed confidential information concerning the county’s lawsuit against Merrill Lynch & Co. isn’t the first time a top county official has come under prosecutorial scrutiny.

Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi and other law enforcement officials made names for themselves in the 1970s in investigations that led to the downfall of three supervisors and other top county leaders.

Since then, three more supervisors have resigned amid investigations, the latest being Don R. Roth, who stepped down in 1993.

Most of the previous inquiries have focused on political corruption, ranging from influence-peddling to bribery.

By contrast, the investigation of Stanton centers on whether he violated the law by publicly stating how much money the county might receive if it settled its bankruptcy-related lawsuit against Merrill Lynch.

Stanton’s statement about the lawsuit has been a hot political topic since June, when then-County Chief Executive Officer William J. Popejoy asked the Orange County Grand Jury to investigate the matter. Popejoy charged that Stanton harmed negotiations with the Wall Street giant. Stanton has denied any wrongdoing.

The district attorney’s office has earned a reputation over the past two decades as a fierce fighter against political misconduct. The dramatic series of corruption convictions in the 1970s helped fuel a countywide political reform movement and secure the passage of government ethics rules.

In 1978, Supervisor Robert W. Battin was convicted of using his county staff to assist in a losing 1974 bid for lieutenant governor.

In 1979, powerful Supervisor Ralph A. Diedrich lost his seat on the board after he and his campaign manager were found guilty of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery. The case involved money Diedrich took from an Anaheim Hills developer whose project Diedrich later approved when it came before the Board of Supervisors. Diedrich spent two years behind bars but always maintained his innocence.

The district attorney’s office accused Supervisor Philip L. Anthony of trying to hide the true source of campaign funds. The case dragged on for years, but in 1980, Anthony lost a bid for reelection against Stanton, who was then a Fountain Valley councilman.

Anthony eventually pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of laundering campaign funds.

In the 1980s, two supervisors were touched by a political scandal involving fireworks maker W. Patrick Moriarty, who was accused of securing favorable fireworks legislation in exchange for contributions.

Supervisor Ralph Clark retired in 1986. Clark was never charged with a crime and strongly denied any wrongdoing. But he said he would be tainted by the scandal in any reelection battle.

Bruce Nestande, who was also under investigation in the Moriarty case, resigned from the Board of Supervisors in 1987. Nestande denied that his resignation was linked to the investigation.

Roth resigned in February, 1993, and later pleaded guilty to charges that he received thousands of dollars in home improvements and other gifts from people doing business with the county.