RUBALCAVA SAYS HE STUCK TO RULES AT HAHN'S EVENT.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

Los Angeles Water and Power Commission President Dominick Rubalcava in a sworn statement Monday disputed accusations that he may have violated city ethics rules by participating in a fund-raiser for Mayor James Hahn at a downtown restaurant last week.

Rubalcava said he only joined the mayor and others after the event at the Pacific Dining Car was under way, and only asked a single question about ``infrastructure investments.''

In an affidavit released by the Hahn campaign, he said:

``I did not organize the event. I did not solicit checks or raise money for the event. I did not make a contribution. I did not call and request attendance for the event. I was not the host. I did not introduce the mayor. I performed no functions at the event or participated in any manner other than what I have explained.

``I did walk into the backroom, and answered one question and asked another. It is my understanding I have the right to attend events of this type.''

The Daily News had reported that Fred Gaines, a prominent Encino attorney and past president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, said he was in the restaurant Thursday when he overheard Rubalcava introduce the mayor and thank the 10 or so contributors for attending.

Gaines, who is supporting mayoral challenger and former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, stood by his statements Monday, adding that he has filed a complaint with the city Ethics Commission, and is scheduled to give a sworn statement to investigators Thursday.

Hahn's campaign spokesman Kam Kuwata said Rubalcava's affidavit is being submitted to the Ethics Commission along with those of three others who attended the fund-raiser, Gerard Orozco, Judy Johnson and Frank Villaneda.

Johnson and Villaneda said Orozco introduced Hahn, that the fund-raiser was hosted by Aaron Moore, and that Rubalcava did not solicit them for campaign contributions. They could not be reached for comment Monday.

Kuwata said, ``Everyone there is saying something, and Gaines is saying something else.''

Under a city law enacted after local and federal investigations of alleged corruption in the Hahn administration, commissioners are barred from hosting fund-raisers.

In an interview, Rubalcava, who said the person he was supposed to have breakfast with never showed up, insisted he wasn't bothered by whether there might be a perception of wrongdoing because his actions - including sitting at the table where the fund-raiser was taking place- were within the law.

``If the rule says you can't wear yellow, and you wear red, what's wrong with that?''

Beth Barrett, [phone]

beth.barrett(at)dailynews.com