Stanton Goes Out With a Bang : In Last Meeting, Chairman Skips Sentimentality to Blast His Critics

Capping a 16-year reign on the Board of Supervisors, Roger R. Stanton marked his final meeting Wednesday not with tearful remembrances but by taking on critics one last time and vowing to tell “the real story” of the county bankruptcy that tarnished his once-promising political career.

Lifting a pen during one point in the meeting, Stanton announced: “I will have a lot to say in the future.”

The supervisor said that he has been examining county finance and investment documents and expressed interest in perhaps writing a book or academic paper about the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

“There are a lot of puzzle pieces still to be put into place,” he said in an interview. “I think these things will eventually come out.”

As always, Stanton continued to deflect blame for the 1994 bankruptcy, describing himself and the other supervisors in office at the time as the “blindsided five” and faulting county officials for “deceiving” the board.

He also urged reporters and community activists not to “rip down” future supervisors.

“The people up here aren’t robots but human beings who are hurt,” Stanton said. “At least give them a modicum of credit for sticking their necks out.”

Some critics expressed disappointment Wednesday at Stanton’s unwillingness to accept any responsibility for the financial crisis, even as he is about to leave office.

“Roger is a smart, talented man who has only himself to blame for the failures of the board and the criticism against him,” said Irvine attorney Bill Mitchell, chairman of Orange County Common Cause. “I think his conduct and comments at the board over the last year have been disingenuous and self-serving.”

Mitchell faulted Stanton for being a “rubber stamp” to new Chief Executive Officer Jan Mittermeier and blaming the old county administrative staff for the bankruptcy. “He wants us to believe that he was a victim of the county bureaucracy but follows the CEO blindly,” he added.

Supporters, however, insist that Stanton’s harsh image is undeserved and that Orange County is losing an effective yet misunderstood public servant.

“Everyone says he is so tough and glaring, but I know he is the finest, warmest, softest person [one] can know,” longtime aide Barbara Brown said. “He does things his own way. He does what is in the best interests of the county, but some people view that negatively.”

Even Stanton appeared aware of the perception as he chaired his last meeting, which began Tuesday and was continued to Wednesday because of a long agenda.

“I don’t want to manifest that bully image the press has of me,” he said at one point during the session.

Stanton expressed pride at serving out his term despite a variety of obstacles including a failed recall effort and repeated clashes with former county CEO William J. Popejoy. Stanton, along with two other county officials, also faced civil misconduct charges for failing to prevent the bankruptcy. An appeals court threw out Stanton’s case earlier this month.

The supervisor has insisted that county officials kept him in the dark about the risky investment practices of longtime Treasurer-Tax Collector Robert L. Citron, which caused a county-run investment pool to lose $1.64 billion of its value. The officials were obligated to inform the board about the investment problems but didn’t, he contends.

“I’m sick of this simplistic view that the captain of the ship [is responsible],” Stanton said. “That is a cowardly cheap shot thrown at people right in the center of battle, in the arena, so to speak.”

Stanton and his wife decided before the bankruptcy that he would not seek a fifth term, so “departing is not in any way out of our plans,” he said. He intends to resume his job as a professor of management at Cal State Long Beach and do management consulting.

Before the bankruptcy, Stanton said he was considering a possible congressional bid after taking a break from government service. He said Wednesday he could not rule out another bid for public office.

“I am not going cut off any options,” he said.