Laws and Would-Be Lawmakers

Orange County politics in recent months have been providing their own special kind of civics lesson. Candidates for public office should have more than a nodding acquaintance with election law. Knowing rules such as the limits on campaign contributions and what is required in circulating nominating petitions is basic.

This week, Linda Moulton-Patterson of Huntington Beach pleaded guilty to a criminal misdemeanor--filing false nomination papers. Moulton-Patterson, a Democrat, admitted swearing that she personally witnessed the signatures on her nominating petitions when she had not. She said it was the result of an unknowing “mix-up.”

Her plea was an unfortunate reminder of the tangled web around last November’s 67th Assembly District election. A potential Democratic rival of Patterson in the November election was stricken from the ballot after a judge ruled her nominating petitions were circulated falsely. Three Republican campaign aides pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges stemming from the signature gathering. The man who defeated Moulton-Patterson, Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach), has been indicted on charges of perjury and campaign law violations. He has pleaded not guilty.

The county grand jury investigation of the election was roundly criticized by prominent Republicans throughout the state. The plea by Moulton-Patterson should demonstrate that Orange County Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi has followed the trail wherever it might lead. That is as it should be. In his career Capizzi has shown a willingness to prosecute officeholders regardless of their political party.

But the pleas unfortunately give ammunition to cynics who deride politicians. At a time of low voter turnout, disclosures of irregularities or outright corruption in the political process cause further damage.

The battle between Baugh and Moulton-Patterson was especially important because it tipped the balance of power in the Assembly, allowing the election of Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove) as Assembly speaker. A former aide to Pringle was one of the Republicans who pleaded guilty. Pringle has denied any involvement in the wrongdoing. Also indicted and awaiting trial is an aide to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach). Rohrabacher too has denied involvement in the campaign irregularities.

Elections are of course essential to democracy, and tampering with the process rightly is regarded as a crime. Critics sometimes have claimed the election laws are too complex and niggling. But those who seek to make our laws must themselves make the effort to know and follow the ones already in place.