Lobbyists’ Giving Is Most in History

Lobbyists and their employers set a record last quarter for contributions to Los Angeles political candidates, giving $383,242, according to a report issued Thursday by the city Ethics Commission.

The flow of cash into the race for mayor and other city offices may represent a last frenzy of spending, because rules pending in the City Council could significantly curtail lobbyist contributions.

“If those proposals had been in place, elected officials would have to recuse themselves from actions if they received $1,000 or more from a lobbyist involved in a matter,” said LeeAnn Pelham, executive director of the Ethics Commission.

The panel’s report said contributions from lobbies eclipsed the $257,000 reported for the previous quarter, which also had set a record.

Experts said the record contributions may stem from the fact that term limits helped create the first open contests in years for mayor, city attorney, city controller and six City Council seats.

“We had probably one of the most competitive elections in the history of Los Angeles, and competition means money,” said Bob Stern, president of the L.A.-based Center for Governmental Studies. “It clearly should be cause for concern in the sense that so much money is pouring in.”

Pelham noted the report does not include the large amounts collected at fund-raisers hosted by lobbyists. That cash would have to be disclosed under the rules pending in the council.

The report said the campaign of Mayor James K. Hahn received $101,500, the most money given by lobbyists and their employers during the quarter ending June 30. The next-highest amount went to his opponent in the June runoff election, Antonio Villaraigosa, who accepted $96,900.

Separate from contributions to candidates, the report includes money spent on lobbyists to work on various issues. Last quarter, that totaled almost $2.4 million.

The issue that attracted the most money was the Playa Vista development, according to the report. Playa Capital Co. paid lobbyists $200,000 as it sought financial help from the city for community improvements at the site.

The second-largest amount, $159,000, was spent by companies to lobby City Hall for approval of various cellular antenna sites.

Competing bidders for a 20-year contract worth $750 million to install pay toilets and street furnishings spent a combined $122,109 on lobbyists. The council recently decided to negotiate a contract with one of the bidders, a consortium including JC Decaux and Infinity Outdoor Advertising. That consortium spent more than $30,000 on lobbyists.

Among the top 10 biggest spenders on lobbyists were groups interested in the Greek Theatre concession; pending cable television franchises; and development projects Pico Plaza, AvalonBay Communities, Porter Ranch, and Studio City Golf and Tennis Center.