Baugh Pleads Not Guilty in Election Finance Case

Almost a year after winning the election that has embroiled his political career in controversy, Assemblyman Scott Baugh pleaded not guilty Tuesday to redrafted charges of campaign finance fraud.

Most of the charges allege Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) misreported tens of thousands of dollars in campaign loans and contributions during a recall election in November 1995. At that time, he defeated then-Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) and temporarily tipped the Assembly’s balance of power to the GOP.

An Orange County Superior Court judge recently dismissed 17 of 22 counts filed last March against Baugh, citing errors by prosecutors in seeking an indictment from the Orange County Grand Jury.

But prosecutors were allowed to revive their case. The Orange County district attorney’s office announced last month it was refiling five perjury counts and 13 misdemeanor Campaign Reform Act violations against the legislator. The reformulated charges include many of the same allegations in the previous case but are narrower in scope.

“We’re starting all over again,” Baugh’s attorney, Allan H. Stokke, said Tuesday.

Municipal Judge James M. Brooks set a Jan. 23 preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for Baugh to stand trial in Superior Court as charged in the latest case. Baugh stood quietly before the judge Tuesday as his attorney entered his plea.

Baugh, who easily won election earlier this month to his first full term in the Assembly, has called the prosecution “vindictive and irresponsible.” Prosecutors have denied the accusations and say a jury should be allowed to decide the case.

The charges against Baugh stem from a six-month investigation into the recall election and events surrounding an alleged GOP scheme to recruit a decoy Democrat--Laurie Campbell--to siphon votes from his chief Democratic rival in the recall election, in which he was chosen to replace Allen.

Prosecutors allege Baugh falsified campaign reports in part to hide his connection to Campbell, a longtime friend who was ousted from the race by a judge before the election. Campbell and her husband had given Baugh a $1,000 donation a week before she was recruited into the race. Baugh allegedly returned that money in cash and then misreported it.

Baugh has maintained his innocence, blaming report errors on his campaign treasurer.

Since the investigation began, three GOP aides have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges for their roles in placing Campbell’s name on the ballot. Two others are facing trial next month in Orange County Superior Court on election fraud charges in connection with Baugh’s campaign.