CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Davis Sues to Get Club’s Member List

State Controller Gray Davis filed suit in San Francisco Superior Court to force the city’s Pacific Union Club to turn over its membership list so state tax officials can randomly audit members. Davis argues that the club’s refusal to allow women as members is illegal because club members derive tax benefits from membership. A 1988 state regulation prohibits members of a club from taking tax deductions for business expenses incurred at a club that discriminates on the basis of race, religion or sex. The audits would determine whether any members have taken tax deductions for business conducted at the club. The club has declined to furnish a list requested by the Franchise Tax Board, and Davis is hoping for a court order forcing the club to do so.