DODGERS REPORT

San Diego Mayor Susan Golding has been accused by a grand jury of improperly using her influence to secure a business group’s backing for a new stadium for the Padres. The grand jury, which leveled its accusations Wednesday, did not bring criminal charges. Instead, it recommended the district attorney pursue a civil misconduct case. If Golding is found to have committed misconduct, the two-term mayor could be removed from office. However, term limits prevent her from running for reelection in 2000. The grand jury alleged that the mayor offered to support a $4-million allocation for a hotel-motel association advertising program in exchange for the organization’s support of a ballpark ballot measure. The ballpark project was approved by voters last November. The $411-million venture is to be financed in part with $225 million in municipal bonds secured by hotel-room tax revenue.