Board OKs Suing Campbell for Ballot Expenses

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday authorized the county to sue former Democratic candidate Laurie Campbell to recover the cost of reprinting election material after she was thrown off the ballot in an Assembly race last fall.

A Sacramento Superior Court judge last October ousted Campbell, a spoiler candidate in the 67th District Assembly race, finding she had filed falsified nomination papers. County officials have estimated it cost the county about $42,000 to reprint election material and absentee ballots, which were due to be mailed within days of the court’s Oct. 31 ruling.

Supervisor Jim Silva was the sole dissenter from the motion to authorize Acting County Counsel Laurence M. Watson to file suit against Campbell, a Huntington Beach resident.

A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office called the lawsuit unprecedented.

Michael Rothschild, a Campbell lawyer, declined comment Tuesday.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) and state Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Newport Beach), both of whom played key roles in the GOP effort to recall Assemblywoman Doris Allen and elect a different Republican to the 67th District seat Nov. 28, spoke to several of the supervisors Sunday and Monday about the lawsuit.

Rohrabacher said he told two supervisors--Silva and William G. Steiner--that it was wrong for the county to pursue Campbell when Rohrabacher believes another Democrat, Linda Moulton-Patterson, also improperly filed nomination papers.

“Everybody has a right to talk to their supervisors,” Rohrabacher said.

Supervisor Marian Bergeson said she was called Monday by Johnson, who was making “an inquiry” about the Campbell issue. She said she told him that her position was that the county should attempt to recover its costs. Johnson did not pressure her to change her position, Bergeson said, but she declined to elaborate on their conversation.

Johnson’s spokeswoman, Susie Swatt, said the call to Bergeson was strictly to gather and offer information, and not intended to influence the supervisor’s vote.

Silva downplayed Rohrabacher’s role in his decision. He said his discussion with Rohrabacher amounted to the congressman mentioning “in passing” to him Sunday night at a social function that the supervisors “have an issue on the agenda Tuesday about Laurie Campbell.”

In voting “no,” Silva said he felt it would be best to wait until the outcome of the district attorney’s investigation into campaign irregularities in the election. Silva said during the board’s discussions Tuesday that pursuing Campbell amounted to “a clear case of selective prosecution,” especially since no one has been indicted in connection with the Campbell candidacy.

But Bergeson responded that “to not go after this money would send a message of selective enforcement, influenced more by a call from a congressman than by good public policy.”

Steiner could not be reached for comment, but Rohrabacher said the two had an extensive discussion about the issue.

Supervisor Roger R. Stanton said his office received a phone call Monday from Rohrabacher, but he was unable to return the call before the congressman flew back to Washington. Supervisor Don Saltarelli said no one called or lobbied him on the issue.

Rohrabacher and Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) have acknowledged their aides played roles in putting Campbell on the ballot in an effort to dilute the vote for popular Democrat Moulton-Patterson. Rohrabacher’s aide, Rhonda Carmony, also worked in the Baugh and recall campaigns. Rohrabacher contends the recruitment effort was legal.

The district attorney is investigating Campbell’s candidacy, as well as who helped place her on the ballot and possible links to Baugh, who won the Nov. 28 election. Baugh, who received a $1,000 donation from Campbell’s husband but failed to report it for more than two months, is also being investigated for possible campaign finance irregularities.

After the election, a Rohrabacher supporter filed a complaint with the district attorney alleging that Moulton-Patterson had also filed falsified nomination papers. Moulton-Patterson has denied the charges. Rohrabacher complained that the county was not attempting to recoup costs from her.

“Only Laurie Campbell is on the hot seat,” Rohrabacher said. “There is a double standard.”

Watson told the supervisors the suit could be expanded later to include anyone else who may share liability for the county loss. He characterized the suit “as just a routine matter. If Laurie Campbell was driving a car and damaged county property, we’d be asking for damages.”

Watson said there is enough evidence to seek restitution from Campbell.

Jim Toledano, chairman of the county Democratic Party, said the Democrats are considering filing their own lawsuit in connection with the Campbell candidacy in an effort to recover the $30,000 to $40,000 they spent on the lawsuit that forced Campbell off the ballot.