Developer Says Parks Sought Financial Help in Campaign

Billionaire developer David H. Murdock says that Thousand Oaks Councilwoman Linda Parks asked for his financial support in her run for a seat on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors--something Parks has repeatedly denied.

In a letter distributed to area newspapers, Murdock said Parks asked for his help while attending a charity event at his Arabian horse ranch near Thousand Oaks last fall.

“Linda Parks was at my farm on Sept. 21, 2001, and asked for my financial support in the race for the Ventura County Supervisor’s seat,” Murdock wrote in the letter. “I gave consideration to that request but decided instead to support [Parks’ opponent] Randy Hoffman.”

In an interview with The Times last week, Murdock said Parks followed him around at the fund-raiser, eventually cornering him for a few words.

“She said, ‘I would like you to help me out with my campaign,’” he recounted, adding that he interpreted that as a request for money.

Murdock’s contention is a potential embarrassment for Parks as her campaign to replace retiring Supervisor Frank Schillo heads to the March 5 primary.

Parks has built a political career opposing development in the Thousand Oaks area. She kicked off her supervisorial bid to represent the Thousand Oaks-based 2nd District by pledging not to take money from developers.

Murdock, chief executive of Dole Food Co., also owns a development company that built the luxury Sherwood Country Club estates south of Thousand Oaks.

Parks on Monday again dismissed Murdock’s assertion as “ridiculous.” Murdock is Hoffman’s biggest financial backer, she noted, and she believes he is not above slinging mud to help him.

“What you have here is Mr. Hoffman trying to justify taking $91,000 from the largest landowner in District 2,” she said. “I have never taken a developer contribution in my life.”

Parks disputed that she was even at Murdock’s Ventura Farms ranch on Sept. 21. She said she did attend a fund-raiser benefiting autistic children at Murdock’s home on Sept. 8 and spoke to the businessman about supporting a new hospital in east Conejo Valley.

Murdock could not be reached Monday for further comment. But his account is backed indirectly by Assemblyman Tony Strickland (R-Moorpark), who said Murdock told him about the solicitation within days of the purported exchange.

“Mr. Murdock was pretty adamant about her following him around and asking him for his support,” said Strickland, a Hoffman supporter. “At the time, I was considering a run for the supervisor’s seat myself. That’s why he told me about it. You don’t become CEO of Dole and someone as successful as he is by not remembering conversations.”

Parks’ environmental and slow-growth stances have won her two City Council terms even though Thousand Oaks voters have historically backed more conservative candidates. In the supervisor’s race, she is supported by a network of growth-control advocates, while Hoffman, a wealthy entrepreneur, has received much of his support from the business community.

Hoffman is ahead of Parks in campaign fund-raising, tallying $211,800 to Parks’ $73,900. Parks, however, is limiting her contributions to $500 per individual.

Hoffman first brought up the alleged solicitation during a political forum last month. The issue arose when Parks criticized Hoffman for taking large contributions from Murdock and other Thousand Oaks business leaders.

Parks denied the allegation on the spot, but Hoffman has repeated it throughout the campaign. Murdock did not comment on the matter until he sent the letter to the media late last week.

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Times staff writer Margaret Talev contributed to this story.