Bennett Quits Equalization Board, Cites Illness

SACRAMENTO —  Citing illness that prevented him from attending to his state duties, Board of Equalization Member William Bennett resigned Tuesday after a controversial government career that was marred by charges that he submitted false travel claims.

Bennett’s resignation, effective Dec. 30, ended a 21-year tenure on the board that often attracted national attention and acclaim as well as criticism.

A combative maverick, Bennett, 74, single-handedly defeated an attempt in 1969 by the El Paso Natural Gas Co. to acquire a pipeline in California that would have given it near-monopoly status in the state.

Later Bennett, a Democrat, drew national attention when he accused then-President Richard M. Nixon of “tax evasion” because he had failed to pay California income taxes, although a Republican majority on the board overruled Bennett’s attempts to force the President to pay back taxes.

In recent years, Bennett, who became a self-appointed ethical watchdog for the board, was himself accused of misconduct for filing false travel claims. A 23-count felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor to which he pleaded no contest. He was placed on a year’s probation, fined and ordered to perform community service.

Earlier this year he underwent major heart surgery and on June 18 stopped attending meetings of the board.

“It is now apparent to my doctors and me that I will be required to devote my full energies over the next year to my continuing recovery. Hence my decision to retire,” Bennett wrote Gov. Pete Wilson.

Bennett’s resignation allows Wilson to appoint a replacement and paves the way for a Republican majority to take control of the powerful board. The Board of Equalization oversees the collection of business taxes and hears appeals on state income tax matters.

It also means that Republicans will have enough votes to replace board member Brad Sherman as chairman.

Bennett’s replacement, who will represent a Northern California district, must be confirmed by the state Assembly and the state Senate. Board of Equalization members serve four-year elective terms.

The replacement will not have to face election until 1994.