It’s Time for Rep. Kim to Go

Rep. Jay C. Kim should resign his seat in the House of Representatives. That was our call to the Diamond Bar Republican last month when the federal government was seeking a jail term after he pleaded guilty to accepting more than $250,000 in illegal campaign contributions. Now a judge has sentenced Kim to home detention instead; the House member will have some physical freedom to campaign for a fourth term, but he still has no moral or ethical right to the office.

Kim should step down at once. He has admitted to three misdemeanor violations of federal election laws in accepting money from corporate and foreign donors. He has also shunned public comment on this and virtually all other topics for months. A House Ethics Committee investigation into his case is pending.

In his brief remarks to U.S. District Judge Richard Paez on Monday, Kim, 59, apologized and said, “I accept complete responsibility for my actions.” If that is so, he knows that he owes the voters of his district, which includes parts of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties, an untarnished slate from which to select their next representative--one who can focus on the job.

The congressman will be preoccupied for a while: He will be under home detention for two months, though he is allowed to travel to his congressional job. He also has to perform 200 hours of community service and pay a $5,000 fine. He and his wife (who pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor campaign violations) are under one year’s probation.

Kim should leave in dignity--now.