Posted on 01/09/2005 8:27:24 AM PST by NormsRevenge
When Kern's Democrat Assemblywoman Nicole Parra said "no stone would be left unturned" in her committee's investigation of scandal-plagued Secretary of State Kevin Shelley, she must have meant only the light stones.
Next week's hearing by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee seems destined to fall short of Parra's pledge to hold Democrat Shelley accountable for his management of millions of federal Help America Vote Act dollars.
A review by the state auditor concluded Shelley's management of federal voter outreach and election reform funds was inept and much of the money was used to promote Democrat election efforts.
Shelley also is the subject of a criminal investigation for his help in steering a state parks grant to a San Francisco nonprofit organization headed by a Shelley financial backer. Intended to build a community center, it is alleged much of the money was funneled back to Shelley's 2002 campaign for Secretary of State.
A self-described "hot head," Shelley also is being investigated for allegedly abusing his staff.
This all-around nice guy was expected to show up at next week's Joint Legislative Audit Committee meeting to explain his handling of the federal election funds. But the written agenda allows Shelley to send a representative instead.
Further clouding the hearing is its moved from its original Tuesday date to Monday, when it will be eclipsed by the release of Gov. Schwarzenegger's budget.
And in a letter Friday, Assembly Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman of Fullerton criticized the hearing's single-session format. They noted past committee investigations allowed more time to examine evidence and question witnesses.
Responding to concerns about Shelley's appearance, Parra said the Secretary of State was invited to respond to the auditor's findings. She noted it is the Legislature's custom to allow elected officials to appear voluntarily.
"If the Secretary of State chooses not to appear and those he sent in his place have not answered all the questions of the chair and members of the committee to our satisfaction, then obviously additional hearings and more serious means, including requesting subpoenas, will be considered," she said in a written statement.
Perhaps forcing Shelley to speak for himself and scheduling thorough, multi-session hearings, such as those conducted by past Legislative Audit Committees, are stones too heavy for Parra to turn.
Democratic lawmakers were neither courteous nor lenient when they held Republican Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush's feet to the fire.
Quackenbush resigned in disgrace after the Legislature's investigation of his use of public funds to promote his political career and personal interests.
It's time Democrats turned up the heat on one of their own.
Bringing to mind the opening of one of my favorite Wall Street Journal editorials:
It was hard to see, but a week ago Friday the Clinton administration, while driving a large black sedan at high speed across the 14th street bridge, opened the door and shoved out their revised downward GDP estimate for this year, to 2.5% from 3.1%.
LOL !!!!!!! You've got their (the dems) number.
How'd the whitewash go yesterday? Heard anything?
Here ya go..
CA: State auditor paints damaging picture of Shelley's use of funds (ShmelleyGate) ^
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