City Attorney Urged to Wrap Up Bradley Probe

Los Angeles City Council President John Ferraro urged the city attorney Wednesday to rapidly conclude his investigation of Mayor Tom Bradley’s financial affairs to stem the growing distrust in government created by the lingering probe.

“It is vital to all parties concerned, including Mayor Bradley, that the facts are determined and the issues resolved as soon as possible,” Ferraro said in a letter to City Atty. James K. Hahn.

“The delay in the completion of your investigation and report is a matter of increasing concern to me, the public and to many other members of the council,” Ferraro wrote.

“However,” he continued later in the letter, “we cannot ignore the growing unrest and demands for an expeditious and conclusive resolution of these matters. Until this occurs, there will be further erosion in the public’s confidence in government and in the ability of its elected officials to conduct the business of the city.”

Ferraro offered Hahn any help needed, including additional investigators, to reach a “speedy and thorough” conclusion of the probe.

Hahn was expected to issue a comment later in the day, his spokesman said.

Bradley, appearing at a council meeting on an unrelated topic, told reporters that he also hoped the inquiry would reach an end soon, but was concerned that the council might interfere with Hahn’s probe.

“The city attorney has been conducting his inquiry for four months. I am anxious that there be a full inquiry, that it be expeditious, and I would hope that nothing that the council does will delay that expeditious process.”

In related developments, the furor over Bradley’s alleged use of his office to help Far East National Bank, which paid him $18,000 in 1988 as its only paid adviser, sparked a conflict Wednesday over swearing in witnesses testifying at committee hearings about the charges.

“People are lying and they’ve got to be placed under oath so they can be punished,” Councilman Nate Holden said. “If they’re not put under oath, then we should discontinue this whole dog and pony show.”

Ferraro introduced a motion during a council meeting giving the chairmen of the two committees investigating the mayor’s role in a $2-million deposit of city funds at Far East the power to “require” their witnesses to testify under oath.

Ferraro said all council members now have the power under the City Charter to administer the oaths, but they cannot as individuals or committees compel sworn testimony.

His motion, which will be considered Tuesday, gives them that ability.

“I would hope that the committee would put people under oath, so if they do make a statement that’s perjury, then there’s a penalty involved,” Ferraro said. “We want the truth, and I think the public is demanding it, and all we’re doing is representing the public in this case.”

Bradley said he would not object to requiring oaths, but he refused to answer a reporter’s question whether he would honor Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores’ request that he make a full account of his actions involving Far East to the council.

“I have no objection to it, so far,” he said. “I don’t think there’s been any indication of a need for it, but certainly if it’s appropriate, I would have no objection to it. I hope that the actions of the council will serve not to delay this process.”

Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky, who is chairman of the Finance and Revenue Committee, acknowledged “somebody is lying” in accounts to his committee, but he said he had no immediate plans to compel sworn testimony. He also declined to say specifically who was not telling the truth.

Treasurer Leonard Rittenberg appeared Monday and Tuesday before Yaroslavsky’s committee to answer charges in an audit by the City Administrative Office that he violated city policy in depositing $2 million in Far East without taking competitive bids.

Ed Corser, the city’s chief administrative analyst, told the committee on Monday that a reference next to the Far East bid sheet that the deposits were made “per the mayor” was whited out with correction fluid and a black felt marker was used to draw a line across the back of the page in an apparent attempt to cover up the reference.

Rittenberg told the committee that he has not gotten a straight answer from his staff over who deleted the reference, and the two most likely involved point to each other as the culprit.

The two individuals, William Hoss, a cash management officer, and George Sehlmeyer, an investment officer, were to appear before Yaroslavksy’s committee Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.