EDITORIAL JUSTICE, COUNCIL STYLE IN CITY HALL, CRIME PAYS.FOR most of us, $4,604 worth of top-flight legal representation would cost $4,604. For City Councilman Hal Bernson Hal Bernson served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 12th district. He was chair of the Transportation Committee. Prior to being on the City Council, he served in the Navy. Preceded by Robert M. , it cost $3,000. That's $1,604 in savings. Council membership has its privileges. The $3,000 price tag comes from a fee agreed upon Adj. 1. agreed upon - constituted or contracted by stipulation or agreement; "stipulatory obligations" stipulatory noncontroversial, uncontroversial - not likely to arouse controversy in a settlement between Bernson and the city Ethics Commission In the United States, an Ethics Commission is a commission established by State law to discourage dishonest practices by their public employees and elected officials. Almost all American states have such a commission. . The commission had investigated the councilman's relationship with City Hall lobbyist Neil Papiano's law firm. In 1996 and 1997, when Bernson faced ethics charges in conjunction with spending officeholder of·fice·hold·er n. One who holds public office. Noun 1. officeholder - someone who is appointed or elected to an office and who holds a position of trust; "he is an officer of the court"; "the club elected its officers for expense funds on Hollywood Bowl The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheatre at 2301 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood, California, USA, that is used primarily for music performances. The "bowl" in this context is the natural cavity in the earth into which the amphitheater is built, rather than the shape of the tickets, he accepted free legal representation from Papiano's firm. But in fending off one ethics charge, Bernson invited another. The legal cap on contributions to political campaigns was then $1,000, well below the $4,604 worth of legal aid - and almost $1,100 in other contributions - Bernson had taken from Papiano. Now, even after the $3,000 fine, Papiano's monetary and legal assistance has still netted the councilman $2,700 worth of benefits. In his settlement with the Ethics Commission, Bernson admits to violating the campaign-finance law, but calls it a mistake. He claims that, at the time, neither he nor Papiano's law firm realized they were breaking the law - never mind that it's his job to write the city's laws, and the firm's job to know them. The Ethics Commission has accepted this feeble fee·ble adj. fee·bler, fee·blest 1. a. Lacking strength; weak. b. Indicating weakness. 2. Lacking vigor, force, or effectiveness; inadequate. See Synonyms at weak. excuse, letting Bernson off with the $3,000 slap on the wrist, and fining Papiano's firm an additional $4,000. In City Hall, this is what passes for justice. A little bit of negotiating prowess can make breaking the law - and getting caught - a profitable venture nonetheless. Imagine how well our city officials make out when they don't get caught. |
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