SNYDER CONVICTION REVERSED; JUDICIAL PANEL'S FINDING MEANS EX-COUNCILMAN WILL BE SPARED JAIL TIME, FINES.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

A state appeals court has reversed the criminal conviction of former Los Angeles City Councilman Art Snyder on charges of laundering political contributions as a City Hall lobbyist, attorneys said Wednesday.

To avoid a trial on felony conspiracy charges, Snyder pleaded guilty last year to eight misdemeanor counts involving laundering campaign contributions to state and city officials.

Superior Court Judge John Ouderkirk sentenced Snyder to six months in jail and a $216,000 fine and banned him from representing clients at City Hall for four years, saying the lobbyist's actions undermined the democratic process.

However, Snyder filed an appeal and won a stay of the sentence, arguing that money laundering is a civil offense covered by the state administrative code and subject only to fines, not a criminal violation.

A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeal agreed unanimously in a decision released Wednesday to dismiss the convictions, ruling that Snyder's failure to report all contributions he made through others could, at most, subject him to civil fines.

``At the time Snyder made contributions under a name other than his legal name, he was subject to administrative penalties but not to criminal prosecution,'' the ruling stated.

Because the statute of limitations for administrative actions has lapsed, the effect of the ruling is to clear Snyder of any penalty, said Mark Geragos, an attorney for Snyder.

``It's a long time coming,'' Geragos said.

The judges said voter approval of Proposition 208 last year clarified that all provisions of the Political Reform Act are subject to criminal enforcement.

Snyder, who vowed after his sentencing that he would never spend a night in jail, noted Wednesday that charges were first filed three years ago, and said he is glad that the ordeal is over.

``I'm pleased that at the end of all of this they found that what we've said from the beginning is true,'' Snyder said. ``I'm glad it's over.''

Snyder estimates that the criminal case has cost him $1 million in legal expenses and lost business during the past three years.

``It's just impoverished me,'' Snyder said.

At his sentencing last year, Snyder sought leniency, saying he had undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery and treatment for prostate cancer. He was backed in his pleading by several sitting members of the City Council.

The longtime and controversial figure at City Hall said he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors to avoid a grueling trial on felonies, but he denied wrongdoing.

``People in the political field for whatever reason have very little chance of prevailing in trial,'' Snyder said. ``People tend to want to think the worst of (them).''

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Nixon, who prosecuted Snyder, deferred comment, saying he had not yet seen the decision.

Gary Huckaby of the state Fair Political Practices Commission said his office also is waiting to review the court ruling and cannot say whether it might still pursue administrative penalties against Snyder.

Bob Stern of the Commission on Campaign Financing said he disagrees with the court ruling.

Stern said county and state prosecutors could still appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. Attorneys said they have not yet decided whether to file an appeal.