Unruh Is Undergoing Treatment for Bone Cancer, Friend Reveals

State Treasurer Jesse M. Unruh is fighting bone cancer with medication and chemotherapy and finds it painful to travel from his Marina del Rey home, according to an interview with his friend and former top assistant, Larry Margolis.

Margolis, quoted in the Political Pulse newsletter, said of the 64-year-old treasurer, who is scheduled to be inaugurated for a fourth term in January: “It’s not easy to say how long he has. . . . It (his condition) is being maintained. It’s not going to be cured.”

Margolis said he had seen Unruh, who was also treated for prostate cancer three years ago, at his home Nov. 28. He said Unruh, despite being uncomfortable, intends to travel to Sacramento for his inauguration, is running his office for the most part from Los Angeles and does not intend to resign at this time.

Neither Unruh nor Margolis could be reached directly for comment.

An Unruh deputy, Liz Whitney, denied that Margolis’ statements are accurate. She said Unruh, who has acknowledged that he is being treated for cancer, is irate at continuing reports in recent months that his life is threatened by the disease.

While she said Unruh is unwilling to submit to press interviews about his illness, Whitney noted that the treasurer had appeared in public Wednesday at a Christmas party hosted by political consultant Stu Spencer that was attended by many reporters.