Block Fires Another Salvo in Feud With Baca

As the controversy over candidate Lee Baca’s attempt to induce Sheriff Sherman Block to leave the race continues, the incumbent released sworn affidavits Friday from officials contacted by Baca, laying out what they say are the challenger’s possibly illegal attempts to lure his boss into quitting his post.

Three of those asked to give the affidavits said they were surprised to receive calls from Baca on Thursday afternoon. According to one official, the sheriff’s chief attempted to have him “refine” his story.

Baca “was trying to get me to say that there was no connection between the perks that were offered and the sheriff stepping down,” said Undersheriff Jerry Harper, one of four people who signed declarations. “I told him, frankly, there was a connection. I clearly remember what the conversation was.”

Meanwhile, Baca, who became aware that a Times reporter had learned of his inquiries, sent the newspaper a letter Friday apologizing for the events of the week, over the course of which he initially confirmed his campaign to get the sheriff to step down, then called a news conference to deny it.

In the carefully worded statement, Baca said he did not offer a special arrangement to Block to advance his own career but rather to keep the sheriff involved in the department.

“The context of these conversations was not an effort on my part to broker a sinister deal,” wrote Baca. “This was merely addressing the concerns of people who know both me and the sheriff and a desire by everyone not to go though a contentious polarizing election that may damage the reputation of the Sheriff’s Department . . . which we both love.”

In an interview, Baca added: “I made a mistake by saying to [The Times] that I never told [Block’s advisors] that I wanted a deal. I always wanted a deal. . . . I want [Block] to be in the department with me. I just wanted him and I to remain together. That was the deal.”

According to Block, Baca offered to allow him to “retain my existing personal office, have a county car, a county driver and other perks, including becoming sheriff emeritus,” if Block quit the race.

And in an “unprecedented extra bonus of the offer, I would be permitted by Baca to handle external affairs for the Sheriff’s Department, such as lobbying the Board of Supervisors and other agencies for public funds while he ran the sheriff’s office on a day-to-day basis,” Block said.

The sheriff also said Baca offered to drop out of the race if the incumbent would step down after being reelected and help Baca get appointed to the post.

Block’s allegations are backed up in signed declarations by Harper, Assistant Sheriff Mike Graham, Sheriff’s Chief Barry King and Jay H. Grodin, the sheriff’s campaign chairman.

Under Section 18205 of the state election code, it is illegal for a person to “advance, pay or solicit” any money or other valuables to induce someone not to become--or to withdraw as--a candidate for public office.

Block has said he does not intend to seek charges against Baca but instead wanted a “public airing.” Even if charges were filed, legal experts say, the law is so ambiguous that it would be difficult to get a conviction.

“If Mr. Baca were prosecuted, the case against him would almost certainly be dismissed on the ground that at most he offered Block a deal, and offers are not covered by the statute,” said Daniel H. Lowenstein, a UCLA law professor.

Nevertheless, other legal experts questioned the wisdom of Baca’s contacting Block’s advisors Thursday and asking them about their affidavits.

Although his intentions may have been good, there is an appearance of impropriety, said Laurie Levenson, associate dean for academic affairs at Loyola Law School.

“There could be an innocent explanation as to why someone would call a witness, such as trying to find out what they recalled,” Levenson said. “But there’s an appearance that you are trying to improperly influence the [potential] testimony.”

Baca denied trying to get Harper to change his story. He said he was simply asking the undersheriff what he remembered.

“I just wanted to make sure that what we both discussed was discussed,” Baca said. “That was the end of the conversation.”

Baca accused Block of seeking to embarrass him.

“I work for the sheriff and have continuous contact with him, both socially and professionally,” Baca said. “He never once misunderstood my sincerity about this until the election process became problematic to his reelection bid.”

Indeed, Block’s comments come at a time when he faces heated opposition in his quest for a fifth term.

In an endorsement vote by members of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, 39% of those who cast ballots supported challenger Patrick Gomez, a sergeant at the sheriff’s Temple City station. Twenty-four percent voted for Baca, while 21% backed Block. Sixteen percent favored retired Sheriff’s Chief Bill Baker. There are more than 7,000 members of the deputies union, however, and only a small fraction returned their ballots, sources said.

In a similar vote by members of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn., which represents sergeants and lieutenants in the department, 48% supported Block, while 29% backed Baca. Baker received 14.6% of the vote and Gomez got 8.5%.

Since no one received a majority of the vote, officials from both unions have opted not to endorse a candidate in this year’s election.