Political Corruption Trial Focuses on Testimony by Robbins

POLITICAL THEATER: It’s the best show in Sacramento this week--with the Legislature in recess, that is--and it’s playing out in federal court just a few short blocks from the steps of the now-quiet Capitol.

There, in U.S. District Judge Edward J. Garcia’s courtroom, the high drama of the political corruption case against lobbyist Clayton R. Jackson and former state Sen. Paul B. Carpenter is centering on the testimony of Alan Robbins, once a powerful Democratic state senator from Van Nuys and now a government informant and federal prison inmate.

The two defendants are charged with racketeering, conspiracy, mail fraud and obstruction of justice in connection with allegations that Jackson bribed Robbins, and Carpenter helped hide the money. Robbins pleaded guilty on related charges in 1991.

From the witness stand, Robbins--sporting a thin mustache that makes him look slightly sinister--spills out pearls of insider information.

One such revelation is how Robbins got into the envied position as chairman of the highly lucrative Senate Insurance Committee, known as a “juice committee” because it generates a lot of special-interest campaign contributions.

In late 1980, Robbins testified, he threw his support behind state Sen. David A. Roberti in a coup to install the fellow Democrat as president pro tem of the Senate.

“Were you promised anything?” asked federal prosecutor John K. Vincent.

“Yes, I was,” Robbins replied. “That I would be named to the chairmanship of one of the three major committees of the Senate”--one of which was the Insurance Committee.

Even with these political tidbits coming out, the spectator section of Garcia’s courtroom has been surprisingly empty of lobbyists and legislative players during the trial’s first week.

While one might think Capitol figures would be curious for pointers on what’s legal and what’s not when money changes hands in Sacramento, insiders note that folks care more about avoiding the appearance that they have any such worries.

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OVAL OFFICE ACCESS: Charlotte and Frank Kleeman of Newhall never got to the White House during a visit to Washington six years ago. So the Kleemans jumped when a trip to the capital, complete with a White House tour by presidential Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, whose parents live in Valencia, was auctioned off at an August fund-raiser.

They bid against Newt and Laverne Harris, who live in the Valencia house in which Myers grew up and have known the family 20 years. Laverne Harris chaired the fund-raising event and Charlotte Kleeman was on the event committee.

The Kleemans’ winning bid was $2,500 for air fare, three nights hotel accommodations, lunch and a tour of the Capitol with Rep. Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) as well as lunch and the White House tour.

And the Harrises decided to join them. Last Friday, Myers greeted the couples at the White House, showed them the Oval Office and steered them to the executive dining room, where they had lunch.

They went back the following morning for a VIP tour. Then Myers led them into President Clinton’s office to see him deliver his weekly national radio address. “It was so thrilling for me that I didn’t see anything but him,” said Charlotte Kleeman, 56. “I couldn’t think about it too hard or I would have fallen apart.”

Afterward, the couples shook the President’s hand and had their picture taken with him. “He was very gracious. He makes you feel totally comfortable,” Kleeman said.

They then watched Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea take off by helicopter for a college reunion at Yale University. They even got to pet first cat Socks.

The Kleemans are registered Republicans who voted for both Clinton and McKeon. In fact, Clinton was the first victorious presidential candidate that Charlotte Kleeman ever voted for.

“We saw so much more than I ever dreamed we’d see,” Kleeman said, assessing the thrills she experienced.

“Having two children probably topped it, and my wedding day. But that’s about it.”

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HEALTH CARE HEARING: Cal State Northridge will host a congressional Republican field hearing on the health care reform plan proposed by President Clinton as well as a GOP House alternative.

The Oct. 29 session, sponsored by the House Republican leader’s Task Force on Health Care Reform, will feature panels of physicians, hospital administrators and large health care providers from the San Fernando Valley.

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), the task force chairman and one of the party’s leaders on health care, will preside. He will be joined by Reps. Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale) and Howard P. (Buck) McKeon (R-Santa Clarita), who represents part of the Valley and requested the hearing.

Both are task force members, and Moorhead’s position as ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee could make him a player in the health care reform process.

“We want to bring as much insight as possible to a central location and the Valley provided that,” said McKeon’s district director, Armando Azarloza.

He said 75 to 80 people are expected to attend the public session, which is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. “I think we’re going to get a lot of interest,” Azarloza predicted.

This column was reported by Times staff writers Alan C. Miller in Washington and Cynthia H. Craft in Sacramento.