Let Steel move on and do his job

When Costa Mesa Councilman Chris Steel pleaded guilty last week to

a misdemeanor of submitting false election nomination papers, we

breathed a collective sigh of relief. Why? Because it was over.

The criminal case dragged on for a year and a half, all the while

hovering over Steel’s head as he sat on the council dais. Now, with

his plea, Steel will retain his seat after paying an $1,100 fine.

The district attorney’s office alleged that Steel, elected by a

landslide in 2000 after numerous attempts, signed for a blind person

in 1998 and then allowed a resident to sign for his wife in 2000.

So the district attorney brought two felony perjury charges

against the councilman, relating to the 1998 and 2000 elections.

Steel could have faced three years and eight months in prison if

convicted of both.

The charge relating to the 2000 election was later thrown out as a

result of a civil suit that resident Michael Szkaradek created. The

judge in that case agreed with Steel’s attorney that fraudulent

intent did not exist.

Never did we consider such infractions felonies, like murder,

arson and rape. Election fraud, especially in Steel’s case, simply

didn’t call for such an extreme categorization. So we were pleased

when the remaining charge was lowered to a misdemeanor. More so, we

were glad Steel pleaded guilty so that he and the city could put it

behind them.

But, while the criminal case is now complete, Szkaradek vows that

he’ll appeal the decision in the civil case.

While we agree that Steel made mistakes in both elections, we

think it’s time to move on. Szkaradek should accept the decision made

earlier this year and should move on to something else.

Steel should be able to move on as well. After all, this has been

following him for most of his term. He should be allowed to

concentrate on the task that the voters have given him.

And come 2004, we hope that Steel learns his lesson and plays it

right by having nominators sign for themselves.