Steel defense a costly one

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- It’s costing Chris Steel more to keep his council seat

than it took to win it.

And despite resident efforts to raise money for the councilman’s

criminal defense fund, donations collected so far would be a drop in the

bucket compared with the $40,000 he has already spent, Steel said.

“It’s a nice gesture, but considering my expenses it’s peanuts,” Steel

said.

Concerned Costa Mesa Citizens, a loosely knit community group, has

raised $2,340 for Steel’s defense fund, soliciting donations from the

group’s Web site. The group also sends out periodic e-mails announcing

the defense fund’s total.

Janice Davidson, who manages the fund and was also Steel’s campaign

manager, admits it isn’t much but said that every last bit can help.

“I don’t know the exact numbers, but I know his legal fees are

phenomenal. We’ll be happy with whatever donations we get,” Davidson

said.

Steel has spent more on his legal fees than he did on his campaign, he

said. He spent $26,000 to get elected and said he will probably double

that figure by the time his criminal case is over.

As a councilman, Steel makes $690 per month.

Steel was charged with felony perjury for allegedly falsifying

election nomination papers during the 2000 and 1998 City Council

elections. The Orange County district attorney offered Steel a plea

bargain in which charges would be reduced to misdemeanors on the

condition that he resign from his council seat. Steel has consistently

refused the bargain.

“He didn’t have to go through this trial, but he’s so intent on

clearing his name,” Davidson said. “He doesn’t want people to think he’s

guilty of anything, because he’s not.”

Steel said he does not know how much money people have raised in his

defense, nor has he tapped into any of it, he said. But he may after his

case is over.

“Even if I win, I don’t get my money back,” Steel said. “Not only do I

get my name smeared, but I get my pocketbook clobbered.”

The councilman is admittedly overwhelmed by his legal troubles. They

have caused him not only financial stress but emotional and physical

hardships, he said.

“It taking a toll, and it hurts,” Steel said.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .