Senate leader Don Perata, whose business dealings are the subject of an FBI public corruptions probe, has set up a legal defense fund headed by Howard Janssen, a former assistant district attorney for Alameda County. The fund committee sent letters to 200 friends and supporters this week asking for donations. The Senate president pro tem is following the model established by former President Clinton by seeking support only from people who do not have any pressing legislative interest, spokesman Jason Kinney said. The fund "allows elected officials to focus on doing the people's work without being distracted by the unfortunate...
