McGrath returns employee checks

Jose Paul Corona

When candidates reported their finances this week, Deputy City

Atty. Jennifer McGrath had to admit yet another campaign blunder when

she reported returning 10 checks she had cashed from city employees.

Huntington Beach municipal code states that no officer or employee

of the city should solicit or receive political funds or

contributions from other city employees.

As McGrath was preparing her campaign financial statement she

learned of the code and returned the moneyy, she said.

“I’ve made a conscious decision that in this case I will respect

the municipal code, because I am in charge of enforcing it,” she

said.

McGrath said she disagrees with the rule, however, that prohibits

her from taking money from co-workers.

“Whenever you have a government regulation of political activity,

you have First Amendment issues to be concerned with,” McGrath said.

“In this circumstance it prevents city employees from supporting the

candidate of their choice.”So far McGrath has raised a total of

$34,656 -- $11,000 in loans and $23,434 in contributions.

As financial statements came in, totals ranged widely. There was

the zero reported by Joseph Carchio, who didn’t raise a cent or spend

one including to file the $1,700 candidate statement with the city.

At the other end was high school teacher Diane Lenning, who reported

a total of $77,769, most of which was gathered in loans before the

July filing period.

The next highest fund-raising totals are about $40,000 behind

Lenning’s collection.

City Atty. candidate Ron Davis raised a total of $38,825 in loans

and contributions and, like many, has a big chunk of that left to

spend in the remaining 30 days until the election.

“I will spend what I need too and I will spend it wisely,” Davis

said.

City Council candidate Keith Bohr reported a total of $37,346

solely in contributions.

“We’re by far raising more than anybody else,” Bohr said proudly.

Of the candidates who have filed, Bohr has reported the most in

contributions alone.

Also reported were contributions doled out by organizations in the

city. The Huntington Beach Police Officers Assn. contributed $300 to

the McGrath campaign and $300 to City Council candidate Gil Coerper.

The Huntington Beach Firefighters Assn. supported City Council

candidates Cathy Green, Jill Hardy, Gil Coerper and Keith Bohr,

donating $300 to each campaign.