Be charitable to Nunez

Re “Nunez used a charity to funnel donations,” Nov. 2

Not only is it OK for elected officials to support worthwhile charities, it is their civic responsibility. Their status as leaders in the community make their support invaluable.

Our member agencies work with elected officials all the time to help them raise the resources they need to serve vulnerable children and families.

We are quick to criticize elected officials for being self-serving; we need to be just as quick to commend them for serving others. We applaud Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez’s (D-L.A.) efforts to help charities in our communities.

Carroll Schroeder

Executive director

California Alliance of Child

and Family Services

Sacramento

With the power and influence that Nunez wields, he could loot you without going into your house, rob you without using a gun or fleece you while hundreds of miles away.

The only thing public about this public servant is that he uses public funds to line his pockets.

I hope that he continues to be investigated for any alleged crimes and indiscretions and charged appropriately.

John Brammer

Covina

The Times suggests that there was something improper about Nunez’s sponsorship of several Los Angeles charity events.

Donors to these events, which include organizations supportive of, opposed to and neutral on the speaker’s policy agenda, have helped distribute more than 9,000 toys and 6,000 books, along with scholarships for local students.

As a community leader in a district with a lot of disadvantaged neighborhoods, it would be improper if Nunez hadn’t been involved in raising these charitable contributions.

Statements by unaffiliated, nonprofit leaders and even the former head of the Internal Revenue Service department that oversees such matters contradict the assumptions and allegations made by The Times.

It’s unfortunate that, in its zeal to go after Nunez, The Times tars a small Los Angeles nonprofit group that has received significant support in the community. It’s a shame that what amounts to a paperwork failure should take away from the organization’s community work.

Beth Willon

Press Secretary

for Speaker Fabian Nunez

Sacramento

I keep looking for the news in The Times’ investigative articles on Nunez.

Nunez spends non-taxpayer money on trips to visit and confer with world policymakers -- all legal and properly reported.

Describing his spending as lavish is disingenuous if you have experience traveling abroad on business.

His humble beginnings as the son of immigrants is mentioned, and I wonder how this information is relevant to his duties as Assembly speaker?

The Times reports that Nunez gets wealthy businesses to give to charities in Los Angeles and puts his name on some of these charity events. The Times puts its name on charity events alongside large corporations. Should we assume that these corporations expect something from The Times?

You know what would have been interesting reading -- did Nunez gather any useful information on these trips that could help California? Could you check?

Margaret Hoyos

Los Angeles