Backers contribute to Steel’s defense

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- Councilman Chris Steel’s supporters have raised $330 to

help pay for his legal fees to defend charges that he committed fraud in

the 1998 and 2000 City Council elections.

Citizens for the Improvement of Costa Mesa, a group that supported

Steel’s election, has been collecting donations since Friday through its

e-mail group.

The Wallace Area Improvement Group, an organization of Westside

apartment owners and managers, offered $100, which the Citizens for the

Improvement of Costa Mesa will match, said Chairwoman Janice Davidson.

In addition to smaller, private donations, Brent Hemphill, owner of

Hemphill’s Rugs and Carpets on East 17th Street, and Costa Mesa resident

Tim Cromwell have donated $100 each.

“I think it’s a case of sour grapes, and the Chris Steel haters will

try anything to get rid of him,” Cromwell wrote to the Citizens for the

Improvement of Costa Mesa e-mail group Wednesday. “I would be happy to do

the same for any other council members who found themselves in the same

situation. He was elected fairly and, based on the number of votes he

received, he is who the citizens want in office.”By Thursday, the group

had raised $330 and expects to raise a lot more, Davidson said.

“It’s pretty simple,” she said. “He’s got the most votes because they

wanted him and want him to stay on the council, and they believe in

him.”At a City Council meeting this week, Steel defended himself against

the charges.

“This came as a shock to me and a distraction, but if fairness, reason

and objectivity prevail, I will prevail,” he said. “I’ve run since 1978

and have submitted many nomination papers and never have had any

problems. Then I win, and [Michael] Szkaradek comes off the wall, which

is his right, and found that someone signed for his wife. . . . I

could’ve walked away and given up the seat, but I decided I owe it to

those who elected me to see this through, even though I know it is a

risk.”

Steel, who won a stunning upset at the polls six months ago after nine

previous losses, pleaded not guilty to two charges of election fraud last

week.

The charges came after a six-month investigation by the Orange County

district attorney’s office that stemmed from a complaint by resident

Michael Szkaradek, who ran against Steel in the 1986 City Council

election.

The district attorney’s office alleges that Steel allowed a voter to

sign nomination papers for his wife in the 2000 election and that Steel

signed a nomination paper “on behalf of a female voter” in the 1998

election.

If convicted, the councilman faces a maximum of three years and eight

months in prison and will be forced to give up his council seat,

officials said.

Allan Mansoor, one of three Steel supporters who spoke during the

public comments portion of this week’s City Council meeting, said he

doesn’t believe any fraud occurred.

“I think the charges reflect a ridiculous witch hunt to get him out of

office and ignores the overwhelming support from the voters who elected

him,” he said.

Planning Commissioner Bill Perkins said he thinks Steel should not be

removed from office, even if he is guilty of the allegations, because of

the number of votes he received in the election, more than any other

candidate.

Szkaradek also spoke at this week’s council meeting, saying the

deadline for filing a civil claim against Steel is this month. He did not

say if he plans to file a civil claim. In an interview last week, he said

he was undecided.