Not Yet Enough

Tom Bradley took a small, halting step toward resolving his conflict-of-interest crisis Wednesday, when he unexpectedly appeared before the City Council and conceded that he had made an “error in judgment” by “accepting outside employment” while serving as Los Angeles’ mayor.

But more than a generalized admission of inadvertence is required now. As Michael Woo, chairman of the council committee overseeing the inquiry into Bradley’s conduct, pointed out, the mayor “didn’t really answer any pertinent questions, such as whether he used the influence of his office to benefit private companies that had paid him . . . (He) didn’t address the issue of lying, the inconsistencies in his statements.”

The mayor is trying to have things both ways: On the one hand, he insists that his mounting problems are purely political, the result of mistaken “perceptions” innocently created by his “insensitive” conduct. On the other hand, Bradley behaves like a man who has been accused of a crime. He has hired private defense attorneys, and steadfastly refuses to answer questions in a manner that suggests he may be as concerned about self-incrimination as he is about privacy.

If Bradley is, as he now asserts, a man who unthinkingly blundered into an apparent--though not actual--conflict of interest, there is a straightforward way to establish it. He can make himself and his records available to reporters for a thorough exploration of all the issues raised by this affair. A complete and honest record compiled in full view of the public makes for accurate perceptions.

Impartial investigations conducted by people who are beyond any suspicion are similarly decisive. That is why we continue to believe that the probe of Bradley’s conduct should be conducted by an independent counsel rather than City Atty. James K. Hahn.

Hahn and his father, county Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, are the mayor’s political allies. James Hahn’s chief deputy, John Emerson, is a former partner in the law firm that now represents Bradley. Despite the city attorney’s earlier assurances, it was not until Wednesday that Emerson removed himself from participation in the Bradley investigation. On the basis of these facts alone, any conclusion Hahn reaches in his inquiry will be suspect.

The City Council cannot turn a blind eye to this situation. The Government Operations Committee, which has jurisdiction in this matter, ought to begin taking whatever steps are necessary to empower an independent counsel to assume full responsibility for the Bradley investigation.

By the same token, the council should not allow the mayor’s difficulties to impede action on the important proposals he has placed before them. Bradley has advanced a sensible plan for alleviating truck traffic. It ought to be approved. He has proposed a farsighted recycling program, which we support, though we do not think it should be financed through imposition of a trash collection fee. Bradley has made a number of progressive suggestions on how to deal with gang violence. They deserve serious consideration.

At this unhappy, perplexing moment, the people of Los Angeles require reassurance that their city’s government is both effective and honest.