Garofalo Conflicted Over Whom to Serve

Add Huntington Beach Mayor Dave Garofalo to the list of local politicians apparently conflicted by an identity problem.

Unsure about whether to serve the public interest or their own, they decide, what the heck, they’ll do both.

Once diagnosed, however, various treatment options are available. A simple trip to the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (or the threat of one) often does the trick. In more severe cases, repeat visits to the district attorney’s office are called for.

The thought process of those experiencing such an identity crisis seems to follow a similar pattern: “Gee, my vote will be a good thing for the public and if, by coincidence, I happen to benefit too . . . well, what’s the harm?”

Many times, the link in these conflict-of-interest cases is obscured or hard to determine. It’s not uncommon that perceived conflicts turn out not to be so. Nor is it unheard of for one politician to charge another with a conflict, if only to embarrass an opponent.

But in Garofalo’s case, you really have to wonder if he’s facing his problem squarely.

The Times reported Sunday that Garofalo has voted at least 87 times since 1995 on matters affecting major advertisers in a city tourist guide that he publishes.

In every case, Garofalo voted for what the advertisers wanted.

State law prohibits elected officials receiving more than $250 from voting on matters that could financially benefit the giver. Nor can the official take part in votes or deliberations if the likely outcome would have an “important impact” on that official’s economic interests.

He’s Not the Only One. . .

Garofalo told reporters that the money he gets from the advertising isn’t really income, because he channeled it into another business--a weekly newspaper. However, Garofalo also owned that newspaper for much of the 5 1/2-year period The Times studied. Garofalo says he gave up ownership of the newspaper in 1999. However, he then received a $100,000 consulting fee from the new ownership.

Garofalo says he’s done nothing wrong.

Huntington Beach City Atty. Gail Hutton has asked the FPPC to investigate. Meanwhile, Garofalo has acted like he wonders what all the hubbub is about.

Orange County has a reputation as a relatively “clean” place to do government business. Maybe it’s because so many citizens are suspicious of government or maybe it’s our sunny beaches, but for whatever reason, the officeholders seem to avoid trouble.

But we’ve had our moments in recent years:

* The Orange County district attorney got a conviction of one Brea councilman on conflict-of-interest charges but lost a case against another. The FPPC said a third councilman could have been hit with charges but was saved by the statute of limitations.

* A Costa Mesa councilman voted for a housing project being developed by his son. The councilman explained he had no conflict of interest because his grown son was no longer a dependent.

* A San Clemente planning commissioner conceded he held stock in a company when he voted for housing projects it owned. He later paid $7,000 to settle the case brought against him because, he said, a trial would have been too expensive.

The one case that amused me involved the city of Anaheim and its symbiotic relationship with Disney Co.

The company needed the council to vote on its various plans, which had always occurred against the backdrop of Disney providing free Disneyland tickets to council members. Because then-Mayor Fred Hunter feared the potential conflict-of-interest issue might have meant a council majority couldn’t vote on Disney projects, he proposed to end the freebies.

What a fuss. One council member acted as if he were being asked to surrender one of his relatives instead of free tickets. He wanted to fight the matter to the death, but as I recall, he saw the light and relented.

Garofalo has a problem.

Right now, it sounds like he’s in denial.

He may need some therapy.

Unfortunately for him, it may be shock therapy.

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Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers can reach Parsons by calling (714) 966-7821 or by writing to him at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by e-mail to dana.parsons@latimes.com.