FBI OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO SEMPRA/SDG&E LOBBYIST SCANDAL

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Assembly Ethics Committee Drops Its Investigation

By Miriam Raftery

October 5, 2009 (Sacramento) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation info former Assemblyman Michael Duvall’s claims of having a sexual affair with a female lobbyist, the Los Angeles Times reports. The woman has been identified as a lobbyist for Sempra Energy/SDG&E by an Orange County newspaper. Duvall was a member of the utility company overseeing public utilities.

 

 

The Assembly Ethics Committee, meanwhile, has dropped its inquiry because the Legislature’s legal counsel says the committee lacks jurisdiction now that Duvall resigned after his videotaped boasts were publicized.

Duvall made the boasts in a committee hearing room, apparently not realizing that a microphone was live in preparation for TV videotaping of a hearing. He has since claimed he engaged in “inappropriate storytelling” and denied the affair. According to SDG&E, the lobbyist has also denied the allegations but has been placed on temporary leave while Sempra conducts an internal investigation.

According to the L.A. Times, the FBI has questioned Duvall staffers and may be seeking evidence of a quid pro quo, or a vote provided in exchange for favors.

The Sacramento Bee reports that a government watchdog group has asked Attorney General Jerry Brown’s office to open a criminal investigation into whether Duvall could be prosecuted for selling his votes. The article does not name the watchdog group. In a recent interview with East County Magazine, Brown said his office would launch an investigation into the lobbying scandal if it received a complaint.
Investigations and media reports thus far have focused primarily on means of holding the legislator accountable for his actions.

 

Questions remain, however, about what means exist for holding the lobbyist and her employer, Sempra Energy/SDG&E, accountable if the allegations are proven to be true.
 

 


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