Rohrabacher Again Calls for D.A. to Quit : Probe: He says search of Assemblyman Baugh’s home was ‘beyond the pale.’ Capizzi defends actions.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher called again Saturday for the resignation of Orange County Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi, blasting the search of a state assemblyman’s home as unwarranted and “beyond the pale.”

Capizzi responded in a written statement that his office is handling the investigation responsibly.

With Assemblyman Scott Baugh at his side, Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) criticized the Friday morning arrival of district attorney’s investigators at Baugh’s home to execute a search warrant. Baugh’s attorney has contended that an investigator knocked the assemblyman down.

“I’m here to express my outrage that the district attorney has wasted so much of taxpayers’ money on a matter that shouldn’t have had anything to do with the criminal process in the first place,” Rohrabacher told reporters at a morning press conference at his Huntington Beach office. He was accompanied by two GOP officials who echoed his concerns.

“From Day One, what we’re talking about here is making a mountain out of a molehill in the worst possible way that I have ever witnessed in California politics,” Rohrabacher said, suggesting that “probably no crime has been committed in this whole situation.”

He added: “The district attorney is basically out of control.”

Capizzi, in response to a Times inquiry, issued a statement saying, “We handle dozens of similar investigations each year in a thorough and professional manner. That is the way we are handling this case and we shall continue to do so. The only thing distinctive about this investigation is the bizarre response to our search for the truth.”

The investigation will continue “and when all the facts are known we shall determine if there have been violations of the law,” Capizzi said.

Baugh, winner of a Nov. 28 special election in the 67th District, is being investigated for alleged campaign finance irregularities and links to the candidacy of former Democratic candidate Laurie Campbell.

In his statement, Capizzi said, “This is the same Scott Baugh who publicly claimed he didn’t know Laurie Campbell.” Baugh at first denied knowing Campbell but later said he had known the Campbells for seven years.

On Friday, six district attorney’s investigators executed a search warrant at Baugh’s Huntington Beach home. Baugh’s attorney later reported that when Baugh started taking photographs of the search, investigators objected and a wrestling match ensued in which an investigator threw Baugh against a door and onto the floor.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, Baugh declined to provide details of the incident “at the advice of my counsel.” He did say that when he tried to take photographs, investigators objected. He said he had scratches on his back, and that stucco was stuck to his jacket.

District attorney’s officials have disputed that account. Loren DuChesne, chief of the district attorney’s bureau of investigation, said Saturday his office is satisfied that “investigators were totally restrained and professional.”

SEARCH DISPUTE CONTINUES

* Rep. Dana Rohrabacher once again called for Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi to resign. B3