Political Funds Probe Contract Questioned

Local government watchdogs on Tuesday questioned the city’s proposed contract with Ravi Mehta, former chairman of the state Fair Political Practices Commission, to serve as an independent prosecutor to examine possible campaign law violations in last year’s election.

Paul A. McCracken, an Anaheim resident and attorney, contended at a City Council meeting Tuesday that Mehta, who already has charged a former councilman and a political action committee with alleged misdemeanor campaign violations, lacks the legal authority to take such action under state political reform laws.

His comments came as the council considered formal approval of Mehta’s contract to perform the investigation. To make potential legal deadlines, city officials had allowed Mehta to begin his investigation without a contract.

In response to the comments from McCracken and two other critics, the City Council postponed action on the contract for two weeks to give Mehta a chance to respond.