Three Years After the Fall

On Dec. 6, 1994, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in an emergency action to place the county under bankruptcy protection in federal court after losing $1.64billion from an investment pool for government funds. A recovery plan was approved in June 1996. Here’s what has become of the central figures in that financial fiasco:

Robert L. Citron

Former county treasurer-tax collector served two-thirds of a one-year jail sentence in sheriff’s work-release program, ending in October, for his role in diverting interest earned by cities, school districts and other investors into the county’s general fund. Citron lives in Santa Ana with his wife, Terry.

Steve E. Lewis

The attorney general’s office this week recommended a judge drop a pending case alleging incompetence by Lewis as county’s elected auditor, saying ending the matter was in the interest of justice. Lewis hasn’t announced whether he will run for reelection when his term expires in 1998.

John M.W. Moorlach

Appointed in 1995 as treasurer-tax collector, Moorlach recently announced his intention to run for another four-year term. His attempts to blow the whistle on Citron’s risky investment decisions in 1994 during his unsuccessful campaign for treasurer were dismissed by county officials.

Matthew R. Raabe

Sentenced in October to three years in prison for his role in helping divert interest income from other investors into county general fund. He was county’s assistant treasurer under Citron before the bankruptcy and was Citron’s contact with other governmental investors.

Thomas F. Riley

Retired from county supervisor position a month after the bankruptcy, having decided not to seek reelection. The retired Marine Corps brigadier general lives in Newport Beach with his wife, Emma Jane, and is still active with philanthropic activities.

Ernie Schneider

Removed in January 1995 from job as county administrative officer, and was fired a month later by incoming County Executive Officer William Popejoy. Schneider never was charged or implicated in the bankruptcy. He is an executive for Hunsaker & Associates in Irvine.

Roger R. Stanton

Former county supervisor, chose not to seek reelection in 1996 and is teaching at Cal State Long Beach. Fought allegations of incompetence brought against him by Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi, charges eventually dismissed by a court.

William G. Steiner

Current chairman of the Board of Supervisors; intends to retire at the end of 1998 after serving the remainder of his term. Plans to move to Arizona to work as a child advocate. Fought allegations similar to those brought against Stanton, which also were dismissed.

Gaddi H. Vasquez

Board chairman during height of post-bankruptcy turmoil; resigned August 1995 to take an executive job with Southern California Edison. Briefly returned to first vocation as a police officer with the city of Orange before returning to Edison as a government affairs executive.

Eileen T. Walsh

Former county finance director; demoted January 1995 by interim county administrator Tom Uram, who cut her salary and moved her to head county’s trash department. She is suing county and Uram, alleging sexual discrimination and wrongful demotion; her civil trial concludes next week.

Harriett M. Wieder

Like Riley, Wieder already had decided not to seek reelection when bankruptcy hit. Lives with husband, Irv, in Huntington Beach and is active with charities and consulting with various medical organizations. Helped establish county’s system of managing health care for the poor.

Source: Times reports; Researched by JEAN O. PASCO / For The Times