Simon concedes Davis fund-raising allegation 'in question'; Davis calls Simon to drop out

Associated Press

[RCW2001]

ERICA WERNER, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
©2002 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/10/09/politics1507EDT0690.DTL

(10-09) 12:07 PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Republican candidate Bill Simon on Wednesday conceded that his allegation that Gov. Gray Davis illegally accepted a campaign check inside the state Capitol "is now in question," and Davis called on him to drop out of the governor's race.

Simon still defended himself for making the claim, which was based on now-discredited photographs released by a law enforcement group that is a key Simon ally and a complaint the group made to a state watchdog agency.

"I had no reason to question the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs' good faith belief in their charge against the governor," Simon said in a statement.

"They were reporting the charge directly to the government enforcement agency, and they claimed that they had documented proof of their charge," he said.

Simon made the accusation Monday after the first gubernatorial debate and said he had evidence.

The evidence turned out to be two photos COPS released Tuesday that the group claimed showed then-Lt. Gov. Davis accepting a check in his Capitol office during his first run for governor in 1998. It's a violation of state law to give or receive campaign contributions in state buildings.

Reporters and the Davis campaign determined the photos were not taken in Davis' office.

Simon did not back completely off his allegation.

"The location where the governor received this campaign contribution is now in question," his statement said. "However, even if the specific claims made by the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs are not sustained, this outcome should not deter the Fair Political Practices Commission, other law enforcement agencies and the media from investigating Gray Davis' aggressive and shady fund-raising practices."

Davis, meanwhile, called on Simon to withdraw from the race for making the allegation.

"This whole sorry episode has backfired in Mr. Simon's face ... as a former prosecutor, he should certainly be embarrassed, and if he had any sense of honor, he would drop out of the race," the governor said on KGO-AM. "You have to check your facts in this business."

Davis said his campaign would consider suing COPS.

The photos show Davis standing in an office next to Al Angele, then executive director of COPS. Both men are smiling and holding a corner of a $10,000 check COPS gave Davis.

Monty Holden, current executive director of COPS, which broke bitterly with Davis to back Simon, told reporters Tuesday that Angele and Davis were in the lieutenant governor's office.

However, the office pictured in the photographs bore no resemblance to the lieutenant governor's office. Angele said he'd never set foot in Davis' office, and Davis said he was not even in Sacramento when the photos were purportedly taken.

Simon acknowledged his campaign, which has donated over $200,000 to COPS to appear on its slate mailer, had not sought to verify the authenticity of the photos.

It remained unclear Wednesday where the photos were taken. Davis said he wasn't sure but it may have been at a private office where COPS took a picture to use in their newsletter.

The episode is the latest embarrassment for Simon, a first-time candidate who lags behind Davis in polls and has suffered a series of setbacks, including a civil fraud verdict against his family investment firm that was later thrown out by a judge.

©2002 Associated Press  

[Brad’s Gramma]

Not to SPECIFICALLY pick on the two of you....but have you ever heard that phrase, "with friends like you.....".

Chin's up. Vote for Simon. Vote AGAINST Davis. Vote Green, if you must. Sheesh. Don't be so defeatist!!!!

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Davis called on him to drop out of the governor's race."

Can you believe this idiot? Of course you can, he's a RAT. This from a guy who has the balls to ask the teachers union for a million bucks. What an ASS!

[Belial]

Sounds like he "bought" the endorsement.

But Simon is an honest man.

[hchutch]

I think this is bad, but if that Nathanson letter gets out, it could turn things around. Particularly if there is decent evidence. I'm not sure COPS was to blame, either. There is a TON of smoke re: Grayout's corruption. This is NOT the fire, but their reaction was pretty strong.

Worst you can say is that this photo was out of context. There are other shoes waiting to drop on Davis, IMO. But this was not the best way to get it started.

[drjimmy]

Simple Simon met a lyin' man,
Going to Sacramento.
Says Simple Simon to the lyin' man,
"Let me see your photo."

Says the lyin' man to Simple Simon,
"Show me first your money."
Says Simple Simon to the lyin' man,
"Indeed I have got plenty."

So Simple Simon and the lyin' man,
Tried to nail Gray Davis.
Instead the photo became an "uh oh,"
And Simon failed to save us.

[RichInOC]

Gray Davis calling Bill Simon dishonorable is like Anna Nicole Smith calling Reese Witherspoon fat, stupid white trash. Gray Davis can kiss my fat white behind.

[ambrose]

Bill Simon is all talk... and noooooooooooo Celica!

[eureka!]

Re#44 This will pass. Because COPS is going to face a lawsuit, you can bet their tracking down the building. Freeper Gophack said Grayout had four state offices. My bet is that it is one of them (Davis won't say where the photo was taken). I do find all the Simon bashing tiresome though. Long way to go to votin' time. GoSimonGo...

[Brad’s Gramma]

Well, I'm thinking that he'd do a fine job.

Very fine.

I'm SICK of the (ahem!!!!!) Democrats. They're liars. Cheats. They'll twist the truth and use whatever means they have to win. Anytime, anywhere.

[Nachum]

I have supreme confidence that Davis will have a major screw up soon. This is not over untill the fat lady has a cheeseburger.

[MHT]

And to all those who thought that Riordan wasn't conservative enough....welcome to four more years of Davis!

[NEWwoman]

COPS is going to face a lawsuit

You know the COPS theme song:

"Bad boys! Bad boys! Whaccha gonna do when they come for you! ..."

[Brad’s Gramma]

"I do find all the Simon bashing tiresome though. Long way to go to votin' time. GoSimonGo..."

Sorry, I sorta borrowed your line.

[anymouse]

Note that Davis doesn't deny that the photos aren't real or that he took the bribe. Davis just claims the photos weren't taken in his office. Davis doesn't even claim that they weren't taken of him taking a bribe on any other state property, where it would still be a slam dunk conviction.

Simon's folks need to turn the screws on the source to validate the photo, and then on Davis to defend that he did not take the bribe. Poor gamesmanship, but don't let Davis slip out of the bribery noose.

[Belial]

And to all those who thought that Riordan wasn't conservative enough....welcome to four more years of Davis!

Yup. Chalk up another win for the wingnuts.

[Saundra Duffy]

I had no reason to question the California Organization of Police and Sheriffs' good faith belief in their charge against the governor," Simon said in a statement.

Amen.

[unixfox]

No big deal, we can just replace him. Right?

[anymouse]

Macross Jem signed up 2002-07-20

Davis shill alert.

[Saundra Duffy]

Gray Davis is a whore. Go, Simon!!!