Molina Speaks Out for Hahn; Stein Launches New TV Attack

Heading into the final weekend before Tuesday’s election, incumbent Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn showcased his endorsement by County Supervisor Gloria Molina on Friday, while challenger Ted Stein launched another attack ad on TV.

Molina, a former city councilwoman, said of Hahn: “He has really proven himself to be effective. He doesn’t just sit in his office.”

Molina made her remarks outside a refurbished Boyle Heights house that been a heroin den for many years. Using federal asset forfeiture laws that apply in narcotics cases, Hahn’s office helped arrange for the seizure of the house from its owner, a heroin user. The house was sold at auction and renovated. “These are the kinds of things we need to do in neighborhoods,” Molina said.

Stein, a former Airport Commission president who has been endorsed by Mayor Richard Riordan, sharpened his attack, accusing Hahn in a commercial of trying to deceive voters about Stein’s record.

Stein’s latest ad says that Hahn knows that Stein has paid his property taxes but keeps saying he has not and that Hahn, who has repeatedly criticized Stein for hiring controversial Whitewater figure Webster Hubbell to lobby the Clinton administration in an airport matter, actually approved hiring Hubbell.

Hahn said Friday that his office’s only involvement with Hubbell came when a deputy city attorney, required to sign forms authorizing all payments in excess of $500, affixed his signature to invoices already approved by airport officials.