FEDS INVESTIGATE CONTRACT AWARDS PROCEDURE IN CITY HAHN E-MAILS TO BE STUDIED.

Byline: Beth Barrett and Rick Orlov Staff Writer

The U.S. Attorney's Office has notified Los Angeles officials to preserve all e-mails sent to or received by Mayor James Hahn's Office since June 1, 2001, as part of its investigation into ``pay-to-play'' allegations at City Hall, the Daily News learned Thursday.

Hahn, who took office July 1, 2001, has ordered all e-mails to be retained, Deputy Mayor Julie Wong said.

``The mayor wants to cooperate fully and make sure they have all the information they need for a thorough investigation,'' she said.

U.S. Attorney Debra W. Yang and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam D. Kamenstein made the request on April 12, noting ``destruction of any documents or electronic files may impede a federal investigation.''

Kamenstein declined comment.

City Councilman Jack Weiss, a former federal prosecutor, called the request a significant development.

``Even though it's just a request to preserve documents, I think it means the mayor's office is under a microscope,'' Weiss said. ``The U.S. Attorney's Office does not conduct fishing expeditions.

``This tells me that professional criminal investigators believe the e- mails might contain some evidence of a crime. I think they are doing this while they refine their requests for specific information.''

Federal and county grand juries are investigating whether city commissioners or others sought political contributions in exchange for preferential treatment in the awarding of contracts. The investigations have been expanded to include subpoenas of more than a dozen witnesses and extensive documentation.

The ``request for preservation of records'' to and from Hahn's office follows a federal subpoena issued several weeks ago for all e-mail communications from former Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards. Those e-mails are being collected, Wong said.

Edwards was Hahn's liaison to the Airports and Port commissions - the focus of the investigations. His resignation was followed by that of Airport Commission President Ted Stein, amid allegations that he engaged in pay-to-play activities.

Both Edwards and Stein have denied wrongdoing.

City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo notified Hahn, City Controller Laura Chick and council members Thursday of the request for preservation.

``I want everyone in the city to be forthcoming during this investigation. I want to get to the bottom of it and put it to rest so we can move on,'' Delgadillo said in a statement.

Council members said they were surprised but would cooperate.

``We have nothing to hide, and I'm glad to provide anything they want,'' said Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, whose district includes Los Angeles International Airport.

The U.S. Attorney's letter is seeking: ``Any and all electronic communications stored or located in any equipment and/or account owned, leased, operated, possessed and/or otherwise controlled by the (city) and sent or received by any individual employed or associated with the Office of the Mayor, for the period June 1, 2001, through the present.''

Beth Barrett, [phone]

beth.barrett(at)dailynews.com