City Ethics Commission to Probe Fund-Raiser

The Los Angeles City Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into a fund-raising event hosted by seven City Council members to bankroll a charter reform campaign, according to sources.

The Feb. 13 breakfast organized by political consultant Harvey Englander has been criticized by government watchdog groups, who charge that it violated the campaign contribution limits imposed by Proposition 208, a landmark campaign reform measure approved by voters in November. The event attracted about 130 influential leaders who were asked to contribute to a charter reform measure that includes a slate of council-backed candidates.

The guests were asked to pledge between $1,000 and $25,000 with a goal of raising $750,000, according to those in attendance. Authors of Proposition 208 say the law limits such contributions to $250 each.

Sources say the ethics commission will start questioning event organizers and participants today.

“We are delighted that the ethics commission is looking into it,” said Ruth Holton, executive director of Common Cause, the nonprofit watchdog group that sponsored Proposition 208.

Englander said he was not concerned about the investigation because the event did not violate Prop. 208, which allows unlimited spending for ballot measures but imposes limits on contributions that benefit candidates.

Englander said the money raised at the breakfast will pay for campaign literature promoting the measure to create the panel. “We are very clearly following the letter and the spirit of the law,” he said.