What They Said

The following are excerpts from the search warrant affidavit released Thursday in the investigation of Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach).

Investigators’ interview with Laurie Campbell, a longtime friend of Baugh who was supposed to siphon votes from another Democrat during a special election last Nov. 28.

“Campbell said Baugh told her it was [Assembly Speaker] Curt Pringle’s people who [were] behind this nomination paper incident. Baugh told Campbell that Dana Rohrabacher is ‘really ticked’ at Pringle’s office for allowing this to happen. Campbell said that Baugh said it is Baugh’s understanding that this whole idea was [Rohrabacher campaign manager Rhonda] Carmony’s but she had Pringle’s blessing to go forward with it.”

“Campbell said she talked to Baugh after a newspaper article appeared in the paper about their relationship. Campbell telephoned Baugh and confronted him about saying to the press that he barely knew her, a lie. Baugh told Campbell, ‘I know I lied. I choked.’ ”

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Investigators’ interview with Baugh

“Baugh said he knows Laurie Campbell and her husband Rick [Kendrick] Campbell from Mariners Church. Baugh spontaneously said, ‘But to get to the heart of your question, I didn’t ask her [Campbell] to run.’ ”

“Baugh said he has no idea who encouraged Campbell to run. He did not have any discussions with her about who circulated her petitions. Baugh said several times that Campbell did not have any involvement in his campaign prior to her own campaign and nomination.”

“Baugh answered the telephone and I identified myself [as a D.A.’s investigator]. Baugh said, ‘You guys beat the s--- out of my front door, 7:30 on Saturday morning and woke my whole household up! You called my house twice on Sunday. I want you guys to quit harassing me. Quit calling me at home or we’ll file a civil rights action against you! I’m gonna win my election and when things calm down a little bit you can talk to me.’ ”

SOURCE: Orange County district attorney’s office