BERNSON DROPS THREATS TO SUE ETHICS COMMISSION FOR FINE.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

City Councilman Hal Bernson has decided not to sue the Ethics Commission over a $1,500 fine it levied against him for using his political officeholder funds to buy box seats at the Hollywood Bowl, officials said Friday.

Bernson quietly paid the fine earlier this month despite earlier threats to challenge the commission's action in court as unfounded.

``He has decided not to pursue it,'' said Fred Hayes, the councilman's attorney. ``We want to focus on doing his job. He doesn't want to get distracted by a political debate.''

Bernson did not return calls for comment. When the Ethics Commission levied the fine March 13, Bernson said, ``It's not over yet,'' and he predicted a court would overturn the commission's action.

Hayes said the councilman hasn't changed his opinion. He is dropping plans for a lawsuit, ``even though we made it clear . . . our position was that the statute was vague and ambiguous.''

The Ethics Commission decided in March that buying tickets to the Los Angeles Philharmonic did not comply with ethics rules requiring political officeholder accounts to be used to ``assist, serve and communicate'' with constituents and banning their use for personal benefit.

Bernson said at the time that the commission was ``nitpicking'' his use of the funds, which he felt was proper because he took constituents to the Hollywood Bowl to discuss city business.

However, Ethics Commissioner Eve Fisher said during the hearing in March that the ethics laws did not intend for political officeholder accounts to finance nights at bowl performances.

``We did not intend for folks to communicate with their constituents at the Hollywood Bowl,'' Fisher said at the time.

On Friday, Fisher welcomed Bernson's decision not to take the dispute to court. ``I think it's a good decision,'' Fisher said. ``I support his decision.''