State Grand Jury and Special Prosecutor.

The State Grand Jury proposal, initiated by the Northern California Coalition for Limited Government, is long overdue. Misconduct by state officials has increased as exemplified by expenditure of $359,000 by the Assembly to settle two of three sexual harassment lawsuits filed by aides to former assemblyman Tom Connelly. The no expense spared defense of new sexual harassment cases has so far cost the taxpayers 1.1 million and there is no end in sight. Just like the last time (1993), lawmakers promise "sweeping reforms".

The provision, at taxpayers' expense, of three Cadillac automobiles for former Assembly Speaker Brown, the use of planted evidence in Los Angeles criminal cases, multiple false accusations of child abuse by a San Diego deputy district attorney and the killing of wealthy rancher Donald Scott during an illegal, greed motivated raid on his home are further examples of political corruption and bureaucratic malfeasance; they emphasize the need for greater vigilance and oversight of government activities.

I propose the formation of a state grand jury and special prosecutor's office whose sole responsibility will be to investigate and prosecute malfeasance by public officials and government employees. Allowing lawmakers to police themselves is an invitation for corruption and will do nothing but produce more promises of "sweeping reforms". When citizens are wrongfully injured or laws are broken then government officials must be made to explain their actions to a jury of our peers.

Last modified on Tuesday, October 15, 1996