CA: Celebrity justice? - DA's probe of First 5 had better be thorough (MeatHeadGate)

San Diego Union - Tribune ^ | 8/2/06 | Editorial

[NormsRevenge]

In her 11 years as Sacramento County district attorney, Jan Scully has cultivated a reputation as a no-nonsense law-and-order type. California taxpayers are about to find out if it's a reputation she deserves.

In March, Attorney General Bill Lockyer – citing a conflict of interest – turned to Scully and asked her to review the First 5 California Children and Families Commission's use of $23 million for TV ads promoting “preschool for all” at the same time a “preschool for all” initiative was seeking placement on the ballot and voter support. State law makes it a felony to use public funds to promote or oppose a ballot measure. After completing her review, Scully was to decide whether to pursue a criminal investigation.

Now, nearly five months later, Scully may finally be ready to offer some conclusions. One of her deputy DAs, Lana Wyant, says Scully is awaiting a report and will weigh in within a couple of weeks.

Beyond that, the Sacramento DA's office will reveal nothing. It won't say whether people have been deposed under oath or whether a grand jury has been convened. It won't say whether spending records and memos have been subpoenaed. It won't say whether the report is part of a criminal inquiry or just a memo summarizing published reports on the First 5 mess.

Meanwhile, there is speculation in state circles that Scully is going through the motions – that because the preschool initiative lost in the June 6 primary, that was punishment enough for director-activist Rob Reiner, who simultaneously helped run First 5 and led the “preschool for all” push.

If this is true, it is a sad comment on Scully's professionalism. Proposition 82's defeat is a separate issue from whether a taxpayer-funded agency calculatedly used public funds to illegally promote a ballot initiative.

Yes, Reiner insists it was just a crazy coincidence that “preschool for all” TV ads appeared at the same time “preschool for all” petitions were circulated. But uncontradicted media accounts show there was a seamless integration of First 5 resources with the initiative push. The three consultants who were paid $206,000 in public money to run the TV ad campaign went to work for the Proposition 82 campaign immediately after it qualified for the ballot. Memos from 2002 on laid out First 5's intention to use public funds to tout universal preschool.

Given these facts, it is hard to fathom how Scully could not take the case to a grand jury. Reiner should not get a pass because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others lionize him as an altruistic celebrity dedicated to helping kids.

The sliver of good news here is that at least one powerful person in Sacramento takes First 5's abuse of taxpayers seriously. Assembly Speaker Fabian NÚñez, who met yesterday with the Union-Tribune editorial board, vowed that “the Legislature will take matters into its own hands” if a pending audit of First 5 reveals corruption. Such candor is a refreshing contrast to the vague descriptions coming out of the Sacramento DA's office of what may or may not be a serious investigation of First 5.

[EagleUSA]

Get out the popcorn - this will be very telling.

[Just another Joe]

Meathead ping.

[TexasCajun]

As usual, Liberals thinking taxpayer money is their money!

[Gabz]

Given these facts, it is hard to fathom how Scully could not take the case to a grand jury. Reiner should not get a pass because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others lionize him as an altruistic celebrity dedicated to helping kids.

OMG...........The ultimate nanny statist being call altruistic. GAG ME

[Lx]

Assembly Speaker Fabian NÚñez, who met yesterday with the Union-Tribune editorial board, vowed that “the Legislature will take matters into its own hands” if a pending audit of First 5 reveals corruption. Such candor is a refreshing contrast to the vague descriptions coming out of the Sacramento DA's office of what may or may not be a serious investigation of First 5.

If anyone is going through the motions it will be Fabian, who are they kidding? I think Scully (or Mulder) will come through. It sounds like Fabian knows this and wants to wrest control from her to protect his fellow travelers.

[calcowgirl]

Will the La Raza guy (Hector Ramirez) that was appointed to replace Reiner on the Preschool Commission come out unscathed?
He was a mucky muck in First 5 before his "promotion."
Inquiring minds want to know.

BTW, a preschool commission sounds like a good box to blow up.

[newzjunkey]

The nanny state can't be altruistic since it has the power to tax.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Meanwhile, there is speculation in state circles that Scully is going through the motions – that because the preschool initiative lost in the June 6 primary, that was punishment enough for director-activist Rob Reiner, who simultaneously helped run First 5 and led the “preschool for all” push.

Oh barf. Corruption is corruption. Misspent money is misspent money. A lot of us worked hard and spent money to defeat this monstrocity of an initiative.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[383rr]

Thanks for the pings. Gotta catch up. Look like there's some real doozies on some of these.