Closed-Door Testimony Given by Alatorre’s Former Secretary

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alatorre’s former secretary, who has said the lawmaker repeatedly appeared with wads of cash at City Hall, testified behind closed doors Tuesday in a contentious guardianship case.

Linda M. Ward appeared for about an hour in the Superior Court case. She was expected to be questioned about the cash, as well as allegations that Alatorre has abused cocaine in recent years--accusations the councilman has strongly denied.

Alatorre last week admitted during testimony in the case that he is a recovering cocaine addict, but said he has not used the drug in about nine years.

Superior Court Judge Henry W. Shatford did not say publicly why he closed his courtroom during Ward’s appearance but indicated that he may release portions of her testimony at a later time.

One apparent issue Tuesday was whether Ward would be permitted to invoke her 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination. Her attorney, Glen T. Jonas, said Monday that Ward had done nothing wrong. But he added that he was planning to advise her out of an “abundance of caution” to take the 5th Amendment on questions about Alatorre’s financial affairs, some of which she handled.

Shatford is considering the accusations of financial improprieties and drug abuse by the councilman to determine whether Alatorre and his wife, Angie, should retain custody of their 10-year-old niece, who moved in with the couple shortly after her mother’s death in 1996.

Alatorre political rival Henry Lozano, the girl’s father, has transformed the case into an assault on the councilman’s character in an effort to win custody of his daughter. The Alatorres claim that Lozano, chief of staff to Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles), has neglected his daughter and provided no financial support.