Campbell to Testify With Use Immunity

Laurie Campbell, who ran as a decoy candidate in a 1995 special election, was granted use immunity Tuesday and will be asked to testify Friday at a preliminary hearing looking into allegations that Assemblyman Scott Baugh falsified campaign finance reports.

Campbell, a longtime friend of Baugh, was given immunity at a brief hearing before Superior Court Judge David O. Carter.

She declined Tuesday to discuss her prospective testimony, saying she would make her statements about the case from the witness stand.

Use immunity means her testimony cannot be used against her.

Baugh (R-Huntington Beach) faces five felony and 13 misdemeanor charges for allegedly falsifying campaign reports.

Assistant Dist. Atty. John Conley said Campbell will be called Friday when the hearing resumes in Municipal Court.

Prosecutors allege that Baugh hid a contribution from Campbell and her husband, then returned it in cash to conceal his connection to her until after election day.

Campbell was removed from the ballot by a Superior Court judge, who found she had filed falsified nomination papers.

Baugh has said he made some mistakes in the campaign but denied having a role in Campbell’s candidacy or having broken the law in connection with reporting errors on his financial statements.