Fund-Raising Issues Arise in S. Pasadena

There is no such thing as a dull election in scandal-ridden South Pasadena.

The challengers for two City Council seats on Tuesday cite embezzlement and Police Department scandals that have rocked this San Gabriel Valley hamlet as evidence that change at the top is needed. The incumbent insists that voters are more interested in the future than in old scandals. All three are competing for two council seats.

Councilman Paul Zee’s campaign got some problems of its own Friday when its treasurer acknowledged living in nearby Duarte, even though he is registered to vote at his accounting business in South Pasadena, a possible violation of state election law.

Questions are also being raised about candidates David Saeta and David V. Rose, who have accepted contributions from donors who once had business before the candidates when they served on city commissions.

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Zee’s treasurer, Joseph Tseng, says he registered to vote using his business address in 1992--one day before becoming treasurer of Zee’s first campaign--because “all my activities and friends are in the South Pasadena area.” His mother lives in town and he stays with her 30% of the time, Tseng said.

But Tseng admits that he spends most nights in his Duarte house. A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Bill Jones said citizens must register using their home address.

Tseng’s vote in a 1992 election was not counted because of the residency issue, City Clerk Jeannine Gregory said.

“I didn’t pick him for where he lives,” said Zee, adding that he was unaware of the problem. “I picked him because he is a good campaign treasurer.”

Rose has been questioned about his participation in negotiating a contract with the South Pasadena Disposal Co., part of his duties as a natural resource commissioner. Rose said the commission spent much of last year working on the deal, which it passed along to the City Council on Sept. 23. It was later approved.

On Dec. 13, Rose said, he called the disposal company and, because he heard that the firm regularly gives to all council candidates, solicited a contribution. He received $1,000, campaign records show.

“I just thought I was doing what all the other candidates were doing,” Rose said, adding that he would return the money if it was found to be improper.

Campaign records show that the company has not given to other candidates in this election, though it has done so in previous elections. Company officials did not return calls.

As chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, Saeta in February 1996 signed off on a hotly contested building project. Don and Marilyn Conlan wanted to build a small structure behind their home, but some neighbors objected. Saeta and the other four commissioners approved the project.

On Dec. 30, the Conlans wrote Saeta’s campaign fund a $5,000 check--nearly half of the money he has collected. Marilyn Conlan said the donation had nothing to do with Saeta’s decisions. “We’re talking about helping a friend out,” she said.

Saeta said he saw nothing wrong with the contribution but that he would recuse himself from any more decisions regarding the Conlans.