Padilla Tops Council in Lobbyist Donations

Councilman Alex Padilla received by far the most political contributions from lobbyists of any elected official at Los Angeles City Hall in the quarter ending June 30, according to a city Ethics Commission report.

Lobbyists contributed, delivered or served as intermediary for $78,993 in contributions to Padilla’s campaign account, more than three times the amount given to Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who received the next highest amount.

Padilla, a Pacoima resident, said the high figure is a fluke stemming from his hiring of a lobbyist as a fund-raiser. The city’s tough ethics rules require lobbyists to report, not only their own direct contributions, but also funds they deliver from other sources.

Lobbyist Mario Solis-Marich delivered $68,000 of the contributions to Padilla from a wide range of donors doing business at City Hall, including unions, realty agents, developers and city contractors.

Solis-Marich, who was paid $3,000 to raise money for Padilla, has clients including the L.A. Wholesale Produce Market, developer Capital Vision Equities and Costa De Oro Television.

Earlier this year, the television firm had an issue before the council’s Information Technology and General Services Committee, which Padilla heads, about a local cable television issue. But Padilla said the city took no action and the issue came up before he hired the lobbyist as a fund-raiser.

“His job for me has been to help me retire my campaign debt,” Padilla said. “I don’t think there is any conflict of interest.”

Bob Stern, head of the Center for Governmental Studies, expressed concern about the practice of City Hall lobbyists doubling as fund-raisers for the officials they lobby.

“What it does is raise a question about whether or not by working on a campaign for a public official, you are given more access as a lobbyist than the average lobbyist,” Stern said.

Besides Padilla, council members Laura Chick, Mike Hernandez and Rudy Svorinich hired lobbyists last quarter to help with campaigns.

The council committee headed by Padilla has been considering whether to give competing Internet service providers open access to city cable systems, and some of the contributions that Padilla received came from those involved in the debate.

He also received money from Legacy Partners, which argued unsuccessfully to the council recently against declaring the Chase Knolls apartments a cultural and historic landmark.

Padilla also received contributions delivered by a law firm representing Ahmanson Ranch Co. and Browning Ferris Industries, the operator of Sunshine Canyon Landfill.

Lobbyist Ken Spiker, who represents companies vying for lucrative city towing contracts, also contributed and delivered contributions to Padilla.

Benny Bernal, a San Fernando Valley businessman who is considering running against Padilla in next year’s election, said he is disappointed that the councilman has relied so heavily on lobbyists to pay off his campaign debt.

“To me, it’s too many outside special interests,” Bernal said. “I believe he should depend more on grass-roots people in the district.”

As of June 30, the end of the last reporting period, Padilla still had $70,700 in debt remaining from his 1999 campaign. Padilla said he expects to complete paying off his debt from his 1999 campaign in the next month, after which he will begin fund-raising for his reelection campaign next year.