Editorial

When we think of felonies, we think of major crime -- murder, arson

and rape. They are serious and usually brutal or deadly and call for

swift and harsh punishment.

But election signature fraud? Somehow that just doesn’t fit with the

above.

In our way of thinking, allowing a husband to sign for a wife on

election documents certainly isn’t a crime befitting a felony. A slap on

the wrist? Yes. Probation to guard against repeat offenses? Of course.

But a felony?

No way.

Somehow, the Orange County district attorney’s office sees it

differently. Consequently, Costa Mesa Councilman Chris Steel is in for

the fight of his life for allegedly validating signatures on his City

Council campaign papers in 1998 and 2000 that he knew just were not quite

right.

In 1998, it hardly mattered, but in 2000, Steel surprised the field

and was swept into office with the most votes of any candidate, besting

incumbent Libby Cowan and helping to nudge former Councilwoman Heather

Somers out of her seat.

Regardless of how he got there, it was a fair council campaign and

Steel, whom we hardly agree with on any issue by the way, should stay

put.

He should not lose his council seat and future voting privileges with

a felony conviction. The punishment just does not fit the crime.

There were two cases brought against Steel, one still pending. First,

Costa Mesa resident Michael Szkaradek filed a civil suit alleging Steel

committed felonies against the elective franchise in allowing the

signature. A judge agreed with Steel’s attorney that Steel did not have

fraudulent intent and, as a result, tossed the case out.

Now, a criminal case awaits Steel in which the Orange County district

attorney’s office charges him with two felony counts of perjury in the

1998 and 2000 elections. If Steel is convicted, he’ll lose his seat and

his future right to vote or run for office.

That’s a mighty big price to pay.

If the district attorney’s office wants to continue pursuing the

criminal case, so be it. But reduce the charges to a misdemeanor, issue a

fine and put him on probation. That would be the most appropriate penalty

for the councilman.

Steel has so far twice rejected plea bargains from the district

attorney that would have reduced the charges but in turn force him to

forfeit his seat.

And while that wouldn’t have been the worst thing for him, seeing that

he could still run for City Council and vote, it would not have been the

fairest either.

Is Steel a felon? No. Did he make a mistake? Yes. Should he be

punished at all? Yes, but it’s time the district attorney’s office ends

this charade that smells of a political hatchet job.