Letter About Agran Is Unfair

* I’m disappointed that The Times published Roger Gibb’s letter (June 18) attacking Irvine City Councilman Larry Agran. Gibb’s letter was the classic half-truth and you fell for it.

Yes, Larry Agran, former mayor of Irvine, was a candidate in the 1992 presidential primaries. I was a full-time volunteer in his campaign headquarters. And I know for a fact he qualified for the ballot in 35 states. He reached millions with his message of new national priorities. He received tens of thousands of votes, especially in urban areas. He even won a number of delegates and helped rewrite his party’s platform (something Republican Sens. Arlen Specter, Richard Lugar and former Gov. Pete Wilson never managed to do as presidential candidates in 1996).

Yes, Agran was arrested in New York. His “crime”? As one of only seven presidential candidates who had qualified for the New York state ballot in 1992, he courageously stood up at a public meeting and respectfully requested inclusion in a televised candidate debate.

Gibb’s letter and The Times failed to note that Agran was, of course, acquitted. In fact, he was vindicated when the New York judge denounced the prosecution in the case and commented that Agran was a duly qualified presidential candidate merely asserting his 1st Amendment right to speak--and our right to hear from all candidates for public office.

SAM CASTELO

Irvine