Baugh Aide Takes 5th Amendment

A former top aide to Assemblyman Scott R. Baugh repeatedly took the 5th Amendment on Monday at the legislator’s preliminary hearing in Santa Ana, refusing to testify about her part in preparing two allegedly falsified campaign documents.

Maureen Werft, who served as Baugh’s chief of staff and campaign treasurer, also declined to answer about half a dozen questions relating to a Baugh campaign disclosure form and his economic interest statement, which she completed.

Werft was called as a defense witness, and Baugh’s lawyer sought unsuccessfully to use her refusal to testify to have the case dismissed.

The assemblyman has pleaded not guilty to five felony perjury counts and 13 misdemeanor violations of the Campaign Reform Act for allegedly falsifying five state-required financial disclosure forms.

Prosecutors allege he purposely misreported tens of thousands of dollars in contributions and loans relating to his first campaign for office in 1995.

Baugh and his lawyer, Allan Stokke, said prosecutors are refusing to give Werft immunity as part of a strategy to keep her from giving testimony that will help Baugh.

Stokke has maintained that the forms were completed in early 1996 by Werft and signed by Baugh based on advice from his then-lawyer.

“She could clear me,” Baugh said in an interview. “They are threatening to charge her to keep her quiet.”

Calling defense allegations a public relations tactic, Assistant Dist. Atty. John Conley said he “would be very foolish to give immunity to someone who embraces all the members of the defense team when she comes to court” and who has not agreed to be interviewed by prosecutors.

Conley also pointed out that Werft pleaded guilty to falsifying her voter registration and an absentee ballot application so she could vote in the November 1995 special election won by Baugh.

The court hearing will resume Nov. 24.