Announcement raises eyebrows

The former top lawyer at the California Fair Political Practices Commission says Shasta County Assessor-Recorder Leslie Morgan owes taxpayers repayment after she had her secretary e-mail a letter Thursday announcing her re-election bid on the county's letterhead.

Under state and federal laws, it's illegal for incumbent candidates to use taxpayer resources to campaign for office.

"If I were the assessor-recorder, I'd give the county $250 and say, 'Sorry about that,' " said Robert Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies. "It's not appropriate."

Stern later said the amount Morgan owes is probably closer to $25.

Before joining the Los Angeles-based think tank, Stern served as general counsel of the California Fair Political Practices Commission and also authored the Political Reform Act of 1974.

Morgan, who was elected to her first term in 2006, said she was merely following the example of her predecessor, Cris Andrews, who also announced his re-election news on county letterhead.

Morgan provided the Record Searchlight with two letters, one from 2006 that announced he wasn't running for reelection, and the other announcing his re-election bid in 1998.

"I wouldn't ever want to step on the toes of doing anything inappropriate," Morgan said. "I'm constantly trying to balance the elements between" campaigning and county work.

Earlier in the day, before Morgan provided Andrews' letters to the Record Searchlight, the former assessor took her to task, calling the letter "inappropriate" or "at the very least in poor taste."

Andrews had called the paper at the behest of Ron Largent, a Redding real estate agent who announced he's seeking Morgan's seat in next June's election.

Largent declined to comment on Morgan's letter.

"I'm not going to go that direction in my campaign," Largent said before calling Andrews and having him call the paper. "I believe we're above that."

Andrews said he hasn't formally endorsed Largent but he's been "very free with advice."

After Morgan provided his election letters,l Andrews softened his remarks about her alleged misdeeds.

Andrews said his letters were sent when he didn't have any challengers, but he also maintained that he didn't remember having sent the election letters on county letterhead.

"I'm sure if she has those, it's probably true," he said.

Roman Porter, a spokesman for the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said the matter wouldn't be handled by his office.

He said questions about possible misappropriation of government funds would best be addressed by the state Office of the Attorney General.

A message left at the Attorney General's press office wasn't returned Thursday.

Stern, of the Center for Governmental Studies, said the matter isn't that serious, though it does raise questions.

"This is not a federal case. She's not going to go to jail," Stern said. "But she should have known better - particularly as the assessor-recorder."