Court Denies Reinstatement of Supervisors’ Misconduct Charges

SANTA ANA —  Marking the end of a two-year legal saga, the California Supreme Court on Friday denied a request by Dist. Atty. Michael R. Capizzi to reinstate bankruptcy-related misconduct charges against two county supervisors.

The denial, which justices issued without comment, let stand a 4th District Court of Appeals ruling that dismissed all charges against former Supervisor Roger R. Stanton and current Board of Supervisors Chairman William G. Steiner.

Prosecutors accused the officials of willful misconduct for failing to prevent the county’s 1994 bankruptcy. The maximum punishment if convicted of the civil accusation is removal from office.

But in November, the appeals court tossed out the cases, saying the district attorney should not be allowed to seek an official’s removal without evidence of corruption or a specific intent to break the law.

Steiner said he felt vindicated by the high court’s decision and said he can now fully “concentrate on doing the best job I possible can in my final two years” on the board.

“I’m glad I saw this ordeal to its final conclusion. I felt all along that the charges were unfounded,” Steiner added. “This removes the last dark cloud.”

Wylie Aitken, Stanton’s attorney, said he is pleased no more public funds will be spent pursuing the cases.

“We finally have stopped the public bleeding, and we are pleased that the last drop of public money has been spent,” he said. “The [district attorney’s] office has been appropriately rebuked.”

Assistant Dist. Atty. Wallace Wade expressed disappointment at the Supreme Court’s decision, saying his office hoped the justices would clarify several legal issues contained in the appeals court ruling.

“This is basically the end of the case,” he said. “We did our job. I think the public expects us, in light of the bankruptcy of the county, to pursue an investigation. We did that. I’m proud of our effort.”

Prosecutors still have bankruptcy-related cases pending against Auditor-Controller Steve E. Lewis and former assistant treasurer Matthew Raabe, whose trial gets underway next week.

Also contributing to this report was Times staff writer Dexter Filkins.