| San Diego Education Report |
San Diego Ethics
Commission
December 2010
Current Commissioners
W. Lee Biddle
Faye Detsky-Weil
Clyde Fuller
Hon. William J. Howatt, Jr.
John C. O’Neill
Larry S. Westfall
Bud Wetzler
1. W. Lee Biddle — Elected
Commission Vice Chair effective
July 1, 2010. Attorney with the law
firm of Ferris & Britton practicing
in the areas of litigation and
regulatory law. Mr. Biddle
previously served as the staff
attorney for the consumer
advocacy group Utility
Consumers' Action Network
(UCAN)...Mr. Biddle also served
on the legal staff of the San
Diego District Attorney in a
special assignment to review past
convictions that may warrant
renewed DNA testing. Mr. Biddle
is a graduate of California
Western School of Law in San
Diego and obtained his
undergraduate degree from
Princeton University. Biddle is a
registered Democrat. His term on
the Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013...
2. Faye Detsky-Weil —
Instructional Systems Designer
with L-3 Communications/D.P.
Associates, designing and
developing aviation training and
providing quality control on
instructional materials for the U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps. Formerly
employed by Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC)
as a Lead Instructional
Designer/Training Development
Specialist, ... a member of the Del
Mar Heights Elementary School
Site Council and the Torrey Pines
High School Foundation Board,
and co-chair of Torrey Pines High
School Student Success
Services... Ms. Detsky-Weil
received her undergraduate
degree in Psychology from
Northeastern University in Boston,
MA, holds a Massachusetts
Teaching Certification in
Secondary Education, and is
currently enrolled in the Paralegal
Program at UC San Diego. Ms.
Detsky-Weil is a registered
Democrat. Her term on the Ethics
Commission expires on June 30,
2011...
3. Clyde Fuller — Former US
Navy officer; also served as a
Special Agent in the FBI for 27
years investigating white collar
crime; created a joint task force
involving the U.S. Attorney's
Office, FBI, Secret Service, SEC,
and Goldman Sachs to
investigate the three largest bank
failures in US history. He helped
create and chaired for 5 years
Beachfest, an annual alcohol-
free, family-friendly community
event in Pacific Beach ... He was
elected to the boards of
governance of local San Diego
elementary schools, middle
schools, and high schools;
worked with the San Diego City
Council and San Diego School
Board officials to successfully
fund and build a joint-use public
softball park; served as the Chair
of a YMCA group studying
building a YMCA in Pacific Beach.
He was a candidate for the San
Diego Unified School Board in
2000. Mr. Fuller is a registered
Republican. His term on the
Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013 ...
4. Hon. William J. Howatt, Jr. —
Retired San Diego Superior Court
Judge. Served over 27 years as a
Municipal Court and Superior
Court Judge. Former Presiding
Judge of the San Diego Superior
Court and Supervising Judge of
the Family Law Courts prior to
retirement. Judicial assignments
included Presiding Judge of the
Appellate Division of the Superior
Court, Criminal Law Trial Division,
and Independent Civil Calendar
Division. Prior to his judicial
career he was a Deputy District
Attorney for the County of San
Diego serving in the felony trial,
appellate and fraud divisions prior
to being Supervising Deputy in
charge of the El Cajon Office.
Native San Diegan and fifth
generation Californian.
Graduated from Fallbrook High
School, University of California
at Berkeley and the University
of San Diego School of Law...
Served three years as a
member of the California
Judges Association Ethics
Committee. Served on the
Court Coordination Committee
and Presiding Judges
Committee of the Judicial
Council of the State of
California. Judge Howatt is not
registered as a member of any
political party. His term on the
Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013 ...
5. John C. O’Neill — Partner
and head of the Business &
Technology Team with the law
firm of Procopio, Cory,
Hargreaves & Savitch LLP,
practicing law in the business,
corporate and securities, and
mergers and acquisitions practice
areas, with over 30 years total
experience. He is the immediate
past chair of the Board of
Directors (2005 – 2008) and a
current member of the Executive
Committee of the San Diego
County Taxpayers Association,
and is a current member and past
chair of the Board of Directors of
the San Diego Downtown YMCA.
He is legal counsel to a number of
nonprofit organizations, including
the San Diego Humane Society
and S.P.C.A. Mr. O’Neill obtained
his Juris Doctor Degree and
earned a Masters of Law in
Taxation from the University of
San Diego School of Law, and
received his undergraduate
degree from Dartmouth College.
He is not registered as a member
of any political party. His term on
the Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2011 ...
6. Larry S. Westfall — Elected
Commission Chair effective July
1, 2010. Certified Public
Accountant and Retired National
Director of Deferred
Compensation – Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company. A
California native and resident of
San Diego since 1978. Over thirty
years' of business experience
primarily in the healthcare
industry as an auditor and
consultant. Former partner and
Assistant National Healthcare
Director – Deloitte, Haskins &
Sells. Former Managing Partner
of San Diego office of KMG Main
– Hurdman and John F. Forbes &
Co. Formerly with the U.S.
General Accounting Office. BS
and MBA from the University of
Southern California. Served in the
U.S. Naval Reserve during the
Viet Nam Conflict.... He is not
registered as a member of any
political party. His current term on
the Ethics Commission expires
June 30, 2011 ...
7. Bud Wetzler — Retired
President, Goodrich
Aerostructures (Rohr, Inc.). He
has more than 30 years
experience in corporate
management, operations, and
oversight in four different
industries. In the early 1990s, Mr.
Wetzler was instrumental in
successfully establishing an
Ethics Office, hiring an Ethics
Officer, and developing ethics
policies, procedures, and training
programs on behalf of the
corporation. He is a graduate of
the Advanced Management
Program at Harvard University,
and received a Master of
Business Administration from the
University of North Carolina, and
Bachelor of Arts degree in Math
from Washington College in
Maryland. Mr. Wetzler is a
registered Republican. His term
on the Ethics Commission expires
on June 30, 2013...
Former Commissioners
Guillermo ("Gil") Cabrera —
Served as Chair of the Ethics
Commission from 2007 to 2009. A
principal of the Cabrera Firm, Mr.
Cabrera is an attorney in private
practice specializing in general
business litigation with an emphasis in
complex business litigation, securities
litigation, unfair competition, white
collar criminal defense, and political
law. Mr. Cabrera was formerly an
attorney with the San Diego office of
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and
Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP.
He is a graduate of Boston College
Law School and received a Bachelor of
Arts in Political Science from California
State University, Fullerton. Mr. Cabrera
previously served as the Chair of the
San Diego Chief of Police's Use of
Force Task Force and is a member of
the Chief's Latino Advisory Committee.
He is a Wish Granter, Member, and
past Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San
Diego. Mr. Cabrera also serves as a
member of the Board of Directors of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
Cabrera is a registered Democrat. He
served on the Ethics Commission from
2005 to 2010.
Charles H. Dick, Jr. — Managing
Partner of the San Diego office of Baker
& McKenzie, where his law practice
focuses on civil and securities
litigation. Past Chairman of Baker &
McKenzie's North American Litigation
Practice Group. General Counsel to the
San Diego County Bar Association and
former director of the San Diego County
Bar Foundation. Founding director and
active member in the Association of
Business Trial Lawyers. Fellow in the
American College of Trial Lawyers, for
which he served as Southern California
State Chair and is Chair of the
International Committee. Former
director of the Corporate Governance
Institute - a joint venture of the
Corporate Directors Forum and San
Diego State University's College of
Business Administration. Past Board
Chair of LEAD San Diego, Inc. Active in
work of the Rotary International
Foundation and past president of the
La Jolla Rotary Club. Retired Captain of
the Judge Advocate General's Corps of
the U.S. Naval Reserve. Graduate of
the University of Iowa College of Law.
Dick is a registered Republican. He
served on the Ethics Commission from
2003 to 2007.
Lisa Foster — Formerly with the law
firm of Phillips & Cohen representing
whistleblowers under the provisions of
the State and Federal False Claims
Act. Former attorney at the Center for
Law in the Public Interest and the Legal
Aid Foundation of Los Angeles,
specializing in complex civil rights,
environmental, election and poverty law
cases. Former Executive Director of
California Common Cause. Former
member of the City of San Diego
Election, Campaign, and Governmental
Ethics Advisory Board. Foster is a
registered Democrat. She served on
the Ethics Commission from 2001 to
2003.
Albert Gaynor — Retired attorney.
Former Executive Assistant United
States Attorney and Chief of the
Criminal Division at the Office of the
United States Attorney for the Southern
District of New York where he was
responsible for reviewing each case
recommended for prosecution by law
enforcement agencies. Practiced law
as a trial attorney in the private sector
for more than twenty years before
retiring in 1991. Actively participated in
the campaigns of various local, county,
and state candidates, and served on
the board of the Conservative Order for
Good Government. Graduate of New
York University School of Law. Gaynor
is a registered Republican. He served
on the Ethics Commission from 2001
to 2003.
Krishna Haney — Associate attorney at
Gordon & Rees, where she works in
the firm's Insurance Coverage Group,
specializing in advice to and litigation
on behalf of insurers with regard to
their varied business needs. Prior to
joining Gordon & Rees, Ms. Haney
practiced law at La Bella & McNamara,
where her work focused primarily on
white collar criminal defense. Born in
Decatur, IL, Ms. Haney earned her
undergraduate degrees in philosophy
and political science from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign. At University of Illinois,
she was elected to the University
Statutes and Senate Procedures
Commission of the Student
Government Senate and served as co-
editor of the Student Government
newspaper. Ms. Haney graduated Cum
Laude from the University of San Diego
School of Law, where she was chosen
as a member of the Mock Trial Team.
At USD, she successfully competed in
national competitions, received Honors
for trial advocacy, and was awarded
"Best Oral Advocate" for appellate
advocacy. Ms. Haney takes an active
role in community service for the City of
San Diego. In addition to her volunteer
work for the San Diego Chapter of the
American Red Cross, she is certified
as a disaster services worker through
the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT), a volunteer organization
that trains citizens to act as first
responders in emergency situations.
Ms. Haney is not registered as a
member of any political party. She
served on the Ethics Commission from
2007 to 2009.
Charles G. La Bella — Founding
partner of La Bella & McNamara LLP, a
law firm specializing in white-collar
criminal defense, corporate
compliance and business litigation.
Former United States Attorney for the
Southern District of California in San
Diego, where he headed the
prosecution of the longest judicial
corruption case in the history of San
Diego, resulting in the bribery
convictions of three Superior Court
judges and a prominent Civil Attorney.
Recipient of the FBI Director's Award for
Distinguished Service to Law
Enforcement for his work in heading a
Special Task Force, focusing on the
possible violation of federal campaign
finance laws during the 1996
presidential election. Graduate of
Fordham Law School. La Bella is not
registered as a member of any political
party. He served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2003.
Dorothy Leonard — Served as Chair of
the Ethics Commission from 2001 to
2003 and 2005 to 2007. Former Vice
Chair of the City of San Diego
Elections, Campaign & Governmental
Ethics Advisory Board from 1992 to
1994. Former Chair of the San Diego
City Planning Commission and
President of the California State PTA.
Chair of the San Diego Unified School
District Independent Citizens' Oversight
Committee (ICOC) for Proposition MM,
the $1.5 billion bond measure. Former
Director of Program Services for the
March of Dimes San Diego and leader
in the creation and development of
Mission Trails Regional Park. Graduate
of San Diego State University. Leonard
is a registered Republican. She served
on the Ethics Commission from 2001
to 2010.
April Riel — Certified Public Accountant
specializing in fraud investigations with
Riel & Associates, Inc. Former
investigative accountant in the Fraud
Division of the Office of the San Diego
District Attorney, performed financial
investigations involving
embezzlements, grand theft, real
estate, insurance, and investment
scams. Current member of the
American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA), the Association of
Certified Fraud Examiners, the
California Financial Crimes
Investigators Association, and the
Asian Accountants of San Diego.
Member of the AICPA's Independence-
Behavioral Standards Subcommittee.
Graduate of University of San Diego
with a Bachelors in Accounting and
San Diego State University with a
Master's degree in Public
Administration. Riel is a registered
Republican. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Dorothy Smith — Former elected
member of the San Diego City School
Board of Education. She served many
years as a professor of English and
African American Studies at San Diego
City College. Recipient of the San
Diego African-American Living Legacy
Award, the California Women in
Government Tribute for Service to
Women, and the Samaritan of the Year
Award. Smith is a member of the
Association of African-American
Educators, Vice President of San Diego
Women Incorporated and is involved in
the Christ United Presbyterian Church.
Graduate of the University of Southern
California with a Doctorate in
Education. Smith is a registered
Democrat. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Karen Thomas Stefano — Attorney with
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
where she specializes in securities
litigation and commercial litigation for
technology and growth business
enterprises at all stages of
development. Prior to that, Ms. Stefano
was Of Counsel to Milberg Weiss
Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP where
she litigated complex securities
actions. Before joining Milberg Weiss,
she spent seven years as a solo
practitioner, devoting her practice to
criminal and civil litigation in state and
federal court. Prior to attending law
school, Ms. Stefano served as an aide
to Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-
Sacramento), where she focused on a
variety of policy issues, including
campaign finance. Ms. Stefano served
as a member of the State Bar of
California's Committee on
Professional Responsibility and
Conduct from 1994 to 1996. She co-
chaired the Legal Ethics Committee of
the San Diego County Bar Association
in 1994. Ms. Stefano received her J.D.
from the University of California, Davis,
School of Law in 1990 and received a B.
A. from the University of California,
Berkeley in 1985. In 2004, she received
her Masters in Business
Administration, with an emphasis in
corporate finance, from the University of
San Diego. Ms. Stefano is a registered
Democrat. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2003 to 2007.
Richard M. Valdez — Served as the
Chair of the Ethics Commission from
2009 to 2010. Attorney with the law firm
Sandler, Lasry, Laube, Byer & Valdez
LLP practicing general civil litigation,
complex commercial litigation and
disability access laws. A San Diego
native, Mr. Valdez is a graduate of the
University of San Diego School of Law
and received his undergraduate
degree from the University of California,
San Diego. Mr. Valdez is a former
member and subcommittee chair of
the San Diego County Bar
Association's Judicial Evaluation
Committee. He presently serves as the
chair of the board of directors of the
San Diego LGBT Community Center
and previously served as a member
and vice-president of the board of
directors of the American Civil Liberties
Union of San Diego & Imperial
Counties and a member and chair of
the board of directors of The Access
Center of San Diego, Inc. Valdez is a
registered Democrat. He served on the
Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2010.
Gregory Vega — Attorney with the firm
of Seltzer, Caplan, McMahon & Vitek.
Former United States Attorney for the
Southern District of California from May
1999 until June 2001, where he was
responsible for the prosecution of all
federal criminal offenses, including the
investigation of former San Diego City
Councilmember Valerie Stallings. Past
President of the Hispanic National Bar
Association, former Chairman of the
Criminal Law Advisory Commission of
the California State Bar and past
member of the San Diego County Bar
Association Judicial Evaluation
Committee. Graduate of Valparaiso
School of Law. Vega is a registered
Democrat. He served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Commission
December 2010
Current Commissioners
W. Lee Biddle
Faye Detsky-Weil
Clyde Fuller
Hon. William J. Howatt, Jr.
John C. O’Neill
Larry S. Westfall
Bud Wetzler
1. W. Lee Biddle — Elected
Commission Vice Chair effective
July 1, 2010. Attorney with the law
firm of Ferris & Britton practicing
in the areas of litigation and
regulatory law. Mr. Biddle
previously served as the staff
attorney for the consumer
advocacy group Utility
Consumers' Action Network
(UCAN)...Mr. Biddle also served
on the legal staff of the San
Diego District Attorney in a
special assignment to review past
convictions that may warrant
renewed DNA testing. Mr. Biddle
is a graduate of California
Western School of Law in San
Diego and obtained his
undergraduate degree from
Princeton University. Biddle is a
registered Democrat. His term on
the Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013...
2. Faye Detsky-Weil —
Instructional Systems Designer
with L-3 Communications/D.P.
Associates, designing and
developing aviation training and
providing quality control on
instructional materials for the U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps. Formerly
employed by Science Applications
International Corporation (SAIC)
as a Lead Instructional
Designer/Training Development
Specialist, ... a member of the Del
Mar Heights Elementary School
Site Council and the Torrey Pines
High School Foundation Board,
and co-chair of Torrey Pines High
School Student Success
Services... Ms. Detsky-Weil
received her undergraduate
degree in Psychology from
Northeastern University in Boston,
MA, holds a Massachusetts
Teaching Certification in
Secondary Education, and is
currently enrolled in the Paralegal
Program at UC San Diego. Ms.
Detsky-Weil is a registered
Democrat. Her term on the Ethics
Commission expires on June 30,
2011...
3. Clyde Fuller — Former US
Navy officer; also served as a
Special Agent in the FBI for 27
years investigating white collar
crime; created a joint task force
involving the U.S. Attorney's
Office, FBI, Secret Service, SEC,
and Goldman Sachs to
investigate the three largest bank
failures in US history. He helped
create and chaired for 5 years
Beachfest, an annual alcohol-
free, family-friendly community
event in Pacific Beach ... He was
elected to the boards of
governance of local San Diego
elementary schools, middle
schools, and high schools;
worked with the San Diego City
Council and San Diego School
Board officials to successfully
fund and build a joint-use public
softball park; served as the Chair
of a YMCA group studying
building a YMCA in Pacific Beach.
He was a candidate for the San
Diego Unified School Board in
2000. Mr. Fuller is a registered
Republican. His term on the
Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013 ...
4. Hon. William J. Howatt, Jr. —
Retired San Diego Superior Court
Judge. Served over 27 years as a
Municipal Court and Superior
Court Judge. Former Presiding
Judge of the San Diego Superior
Court and Supervising Judge of
the Family Law Courts prior to
retirement. Judicial assignments
included Presiding Judge of the
Appellate Division of the Superior
Court, Criminal Law Trial Division,
and Independent Civil Calendar
Division. Prior to his judicial
career he was a Deputy District
Attorney for the County of San
Diego serving in the felony trial,
appellate and fraud divisions prior
to being Supervising Deputy in
charge of the El Cajon Office.
Native San Diegan and fifth
generation Californian.
Graduated from Fallbrook High
School, University of California
at Berkeley and the University
of San Diego School of Law...
Served three years as a
member of the California
Judges Association Ethics
Committee. Served on the
Court Coordination Committee
and Presiding Judges
Committee of the Judicial
Council of the State of
California. Judge Howatt is not
registered as a member of any
political party. His term on the
Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2013 ...
5. John C. O’Neill — Partner
and head of the Business &
Technology Team with the law
firm of Procopio, Cory,
Hargreaves & Savitch LLP,
practicing law in the business,
corporate and securities, and
mergers and acquisitions practice
areas, with over 30 years total
experience. He is the immediate
past chair of the Board of
Directors (2005 – 2008) and a
current member of the Executive
Committee of the San Diego
County Taxpayers Association,
and is a current member and past
chair of the Board of Directors of
the San Diego Downtown YMCA.
He is legal counsel to a number of
nonprofit organizations, including
the San Diego Humane Society
and S.P.C.A. Mr. O’Neill obtained
his Juris Doctor Degree and
earned a Masters of Law in
Taxation from the University of
San Diego School of Law, and
received his undergraduate
degree from Dartmouth College.
He is not registered as a member
of any political party. His term on
the Ethics Commission expires on
June 30, 2011 ...
6. Larry S. Westfall — Elected
Commission Chair effective July
1, 2010. Certified Public
Accountant and Retired National
Director of Deferred
Compensation – Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company. A
California native and resident of
San Diego since 1978. Over thirty
years' of business experience
primarily in the healthcare
industry as an auditor and
consultant. Former partner and
Assistant National Healthcare
Director – Deloitte, Haskins &
Sells. Former Managing Partner
of San Diego office of KMG Main
– Hurdman and John F. Forbes &
Co. Formerly with the U.S.
General Accounting Office. BS
and MBA from the University of
Southern California. Served in the
U.S. Naval Reserve during the
Viet Nam Conflict.... He is not
registered as a member of any
political party. His current term on
the Ethics Commission expires
June 30, 2011 ...
7. Bud Wetzler — Retired
President, Goodrich
Aerostructures (Rohr, Inc.). He
has more than 30 years
experience in corporate
management, operations, and
oversight in four different
industries. In the early 1990s, Mr.
Wetzler was instrumental in
successfully establishing an
Ethics Office, hiring an Ethics
Officer, and developing ethics
policies, procedures, and training
programs on behalf of the
corporation. He is a graduate of
the Advanced Management
Program at Harvard University,
and received a Master of
Business Administration from the
University of North Carolina, and
Bachelor of Arts degree in Math
from Washington College in
Maryland. Mr. Wetzler is a
registered Republican. His term
on the Ethics Commission expires
on June 30, 2013...
Former Commissioners
Guillermo ("Gil") Cabrera —
Served as Chair of the Ethics
Commission from 2007 to 2009. A
principal of the Cabrera Firm, Mr.
Cabrera is an attorney in private
practice specializing in general
business litigation with an emphasis in
complex business litigation, securities
litigation, unfair competition, white
collar criminal defense, and political
law. Mr. Cabrera was formerly an
attorney with the San Diego office of
Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and
Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP.
He is a graduate of Boston College
Law School and received a Bachelor of
Arts in Political Science from California
State University, Fullerton. Mr. Cabrera
previously served as the Chair of the
San Diego Chief of Police's Use of
Force Task Force and is a member of
the Chief's Latino Advisory Committee.
He is a Wish Granter, Member, and
past Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San
Diego. Mr. Cabrera also serves as a
member of the Board of Directors of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
Cabrera is a registered Democrat. He
served on the Ethics Commission from
2005 to 2010.
Charles H. Dick, Jr. — Managing
Partner of the San Diego office of Baker
& McKenzie, where his law practice
focuses on civil and securities
litigation. Past Chairman of Baker &
McKenzie's North American Litigation
Practice Group. General Counsel to the
San Diego County Bar Association and
former director of the San Diego County
Bar Foundation. Founding director and
active member in the Association of
Business Trial Lawyers. Fellow in the
American College of Trial Lawyers, for
which he served as Southern California
State Chair and is Chair of the
International Committee. Former
director of the Corporate Governance
Institute - a joint venture of the
Corporate Directors Forum and San
Diego State University's College of
Business Administration. Past Board
Chair of LEAD San Diego, Inc. Active in
work of the Rotary International
Foundation and past president of the
La Jolla Rotary Club. Retired Captain of
the Judge Advocate General's Corps of
the U.S. Naval Reserve. Graduate of
the University of Iowa College of Law.
Dick is a registered Republican. He
served on the Ethics Commission from
2003 to 2007.
Lisa Foster — Formerly with the law
firm of Phillips & Cohen representing
whistleblowers under the provisions of
the State and Federal False Claims
Act. Former attorney at the Center for
Law in the Public Interest and the Legal
Aid Foundation of Los Angeles,
specializing in complex civil rights,
environmental, election and poverty law
cases. Former Executive Director of
California Common Cause. Former
member of the City of San Diego
Election, Campaign, and Governmental
Ethics Advisory Board. Foster is a
registered Democrat. She served on
the Ethics Commission from 2001 to
2003.
Albert Gaynor — Retired attorney.
Former Executive Assistant United
States Attorney and Chief of the
Criminal Division at the Office of the
United States Attorney for the Southern
District of New York where he was
responsible for reviewing each case
recommended for prosecution by law
enforcement agencies. Practiced law
as a trial attorney in the private sector
for more than twenty years before
retiring in 1991. Actively participated in
the campaigns of various local, county,
and state candidates, and served on
the board of the Conservative Order for
Good Government. Graduate of New
York University School of Law. Gaynor
is a registered Republican. He served
on the Ethics Commission from 2001
to 2003.
Krishna Haney — Associate attorney at
Gordon & Rees, where she works in
the firm's Insurance Coverage Group,
specializing in advice to and litigation
on behalf of insurers with regard to
their varied business needs. Prior to
joining Gordon & Rees, Ms. Haney
practiced law at La Bella & McNamara,
where her work focused primarily on
white collar criminal defense. Born in
Decatur, IL, Ms. Haney earned her
undergraduate degrees in philosophy
and political science from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign. At University of Illinois,
she was elected to the University
Statutes and Senate Procedures
Commission of the Student
Government Senate and served as co-
editor of the Student Government
newspaper. Ms. Haney graduated Cum
Laude from the University of San Diego
School of Law, where she was chosen
as a member of the Mock Trial Team.
At USD, she successfully competed in
national competitions, received Honors
for trial advocacy, and was awarded
"Best Oral Advocate" for appellate
advocacy. Ms. Haney takes an active
role in community service for the City of
San Diego. In addition to her volunteer
work for the San Diego Chapter of the
American Red Cross, she is certified
as a disaster services worker through
the Community Emergency Response
Team (CERT), a volunteer organization
that trains citizens to act as first
responders in emergency situations.
Ms. Haney is not registered as a
member of any political party. She
served on the Ethics Commission from
2007 to 2009.
Charles G. La Bella — Founding
partner of La Bella & McNamara LLP, a
law firm specializing in white-collar
criminal defense, corporate
compliance and business litigation.
Former United States Attorney for the
Southern District of California in San
Diego, where he headed the
prosecution of the longest judicial
corruption case in the history of San
Diego, resulting in the bribery
convictions of three Superior Court
judges and a prominent Civil Attorney.
Recipient of the FBI Director's Award for
Distinguished Service to Law
Enforcement for his work in heading a
Special Task Force, focusing on the
possible violation of federal campaign
finance laws during the 1996
presidential election. Graduate of
Fordham Law School. La Bella is not
registered as a member of any political
party. He served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2003.
Dorothy Leonard — Served as Chair of
the Ethics Commission from 2001 to
2003 and 2005 to 2007. Former Vice
Chair of the City of San Diego
Elections, Campaign & Governmental
Ethics Advisory Board from 1992 to
1994. Former Chair of the San Diego
City Planning Commission and
President of the California State PTA.
Chair of the San Diego Unified School
District Independent Citizens' Oversight
Committee (ICOC) for Proposition MM,
the $1.5 billion bond measure. Former
Director of Program Services for the
March of Dimes San Diego and leader
in the creation and development of
Mission Trails Regional Park. Graduate
of San Diego State University. Leonard
is a registered Republican. She served
on the Ethics Commission from 2001
to 2010.
April Riel — Certified Public Accountant
specializing in fraud investigations with
Riel & Associates, Inc. Former
investigative accountant in the Fraud
Division of the Office of the San Diego
District Attorney, performed financial
investigations involving
embezzlements, grand theft, real
estate, insurance, and investment
scams. Current member of the
American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA), the Association of
Certified Fraud Examiners, the
California Financial Crimes
Investigators Association, and the
Asian Accountants of San Diego.
Member of the AICPA's Independence-
Behavioral Standards Subcommittee.
Graduate of University of San Diego
with a Bachelors in Accounting and
San Diego State University with a
Master's degree in Public
Administration. Riel is a registered
Republican. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Dorothy Smith — Former elected
member of the San Diego City School
Board of Education. She served many
years as a professor of English and
African American Studies at San Diego
City College. Recipient of the San
Diego African-American Living Legacy
Award, the California Women in
Government Tribute for Service to
Women, and the Samaritan of the Year
Award. Smith is a member of the
Association of African-American
Educators, Vice President of San Diego
Women Incorporated and is involved in
the Christ United Presbyterian Church.
Graduate of the University of Southern
California with a Doctorate in
Education. Smith is a registered
Democrat. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Karen Thomas Stefano — Attorney with
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
where she specializes in securities
litigation and commercial litigation for
technology and growth business
enterprises at all stages of
development. Prior to that, Ms. Stefano
was Of Counsel to Milberg Weiss
Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP where
she litigated complex securities
actions. Before joining Milberg Weiss,
she spent seven years as a solo
practitioner, devoting her practice to
criminal and civil litigation in state and
federal court. Prior to attending law
school, Ms. Stefano served as an aide
to Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-
Sacramento), where she focused on a
variety of policy issues, including
campaign finance. Ms. Stefano served
as a member of the State Bar of
California's Committee on
Professional Responsibility and
Conduct from 1994 to 1996. She co-
chaired the Legal Ethics Committee of
the San Diego County Bar Association
in 1994. Ms. Stefano received her J.D.
from the University of California, Davis,
School of Law in 1990 and received a B.
A. from the University of California,
Berkeley in 1985. In 2004, she received
her Masters in Business
Administration, with an emphasis in
corporate finance, from the University of
San Diego. Ms. Stefano is a registered
Democrat. She served on the Ethics
Commission from 2003 to 2007.
Richard M. Valdez — Served as the
Chair of the Ethics Commission from
2009 to 2010. Attorney with the law firm
Sandler, Lasry, Laube, Byer & Valdez
LLP practicing general civil litigation,
complex commercial litigation and
disability access laws. A San Diego
native, Mr. Valdez is a graduate of the
University of San Diego School of Law
and received his undergraduate
degree from the University of California,
San Diego. Mr. Valdez is a former
member and subcommittee chair of
the San Diego County Bar
Association's Judicial Evaluation
Committee. He presently serves as the
chair of the board of directors of the
San Diego LGBT Community Center
and previously served as a member
and vice-president of the board of
directors of the American Civil Liberties
Union of San Diego & Imperial
Counties and a member and chair of
the board of directors of The Access
Center of San Diego, Inc. Valdez is a
registered Democrat. He served on the
Ethics Commission from 2007 to 2010.
Gregory Vega — Attorney with the firm
of Seltzer, Caplan, McMahon & Vitek.
Former United States Attorney for the
Southern District of California from May
1999 until June 2001, where he was
responsible for the prosecution of all
federal criminal offenses, including the
investigation of former San Diego City
Councilmember Valerie Stallings. Past
President of the Hispanic National Bar
Association, former Chairman of the
Criminal Law Advisory Commission of
the California State Bar and past
member of the San Diego County Bar
Association Judicial Evaluation
Committee. Graduate of Valparaiso
School of Law. Vega is a registered
Democrat. He served on the Ethics
Commission from 2001 to 2005.
Home
Why This Website
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
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Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
Why This Website
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz v. Maura
Larkins defamation
SDCOE
CVESD
Castle Park Elem
Law Enforcement
CTA
CVE
Stutz Artiano Shinoff
& Holtz
Silence is Golden
Schools and Violence
Office Admin Hearings
Larkins OAH Hearing
The commission seems quite interested in some statements of
economic interest
Minutes for Meeting of Thursday, October 14, 2010
...Staff – Executive Director Stacey Fulhorst, Program Manager Steve
Ross, Senior Investigator Lauri Davis, and Executive Secretary Kathy
Hunt
...Executive Director Comment
Director Fulhorst provided an update on the Request for Qualifications process
for General Counsel services. She explained that she anticipates interviewing
qualified firms in mid-November and noted that Commissioners O’Neill and
Howatt have agreed to assist her and Commission Chair Westfall with this
process.
Commissioner Fuller asked how hiring an outside law firm to provide
General Counsel services compares with hiring a full-time staff attorney.
Director Fulhorst explained that, although the hourly rate for an outside law firm
will be higher than an hourly rate for a staff attorney, the Commission would not
incur the costs of fringe benefits associated with the staff position. Moreover, she
explained that she anticipates retaining an outside firm to provide only part-time
General Counsel services, which would result in budgetary savings that could be
used to pay for Administrative Law Judges to preside over Commission hearings,
and outside counsel to serve as Petitioners.
...Case Nos. 2010-83 through 2010-85 – In Re: Alleged Failure to File
Statements of Economic Interests
Motion: Initiate Investigations
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle...
Case No. 2010-87 – In Re: Alleged Failure to Include Complete “Paid for
By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Initiate Investigation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-88 – In Re: Alleged Failure to File Campaign Statements
and to Include “Paid for By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Initiate Investigation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Item-2: Conference with Legal Counsel (24 potential matters)
Case No. 2010-39 – In Re: San Diegans for Accountability at City Hall - Alleged
Failure to include “Paid for By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Recused: O’Neill
Excused: Biddle
Case Nos. 2010-46 through 2010-52, 2010-56 through 2010-59, 2010-64 and
2010-65 – In Re: Alleged Failure to Timely File Statements of Economic
Interests
Motion: Dismiss
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-53 - In Re: Kathy Haynes - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
5
Case No. 2010-54 – In Re: Charles Davis - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-55 – In Re: Robert Henderson - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-60 – In Re: John Lovio - Alleged Failure to Timely File Statement
of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-61 – In Re: Barbara Ybarra - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-62 – In Re: Richard Ybarra - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-63 – In Re: Stephen Carter - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
...
economic interest
Minutes for Meeting of Thursday, October 14, 2010
...Staff – Executive Director Stacey Fulhorst, Program Manager Steve
Ross, Senior Investigator Lauri Davis, and Executive Secretary Kathy
Hunt
...Executive Director Comment
Director Fulhorst provided an update on the Request for Qualifications process
for General Counsel services. She explained that she anticipates interviewing
qualified firms in mid-November and noted that Commissioners O’Neill and
Howatt have agreed to assist her and Commission Chair Westfall with this
process.
Commissioner Fuller asked how hiring an outside law firm to provide
General Counsel services compares with hiring a full-time staff attorney.
Director Fulhorst explained that, although the hourly rate for an outside law firm
will be higher than an hourly rate for a staff attorney, the Commission would not
incur the costs of fringe benefits associated with the staff position. Moreover, she
explained that she anticipates retaining an outside firm to provide only part-time
General Counsel services, which would result in budgetary savings that could be
used to pay for Administrative Law Judges to preside over Commission hearings,
and outside counsel to serve as Petitioners.
...Case Nos. 2010-83 through 2010-85 – In Re: Alleged Failure to File
Statements of Economic Interests
Motion: Initiate Investigations
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle...
Case No. 2010-87 – In Re: Alleged Failure to Include Complete “Paid for
By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Initiate Investigation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-88 – In Re: Alleged Failure to File Campaign Statements
and to Include “Paid for By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Initiate Investigation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Item-2: Conference with Legal Counsel (24 potential matters)
Case No. 2010-39 – In Re: San Diegans for Accountability at City Hall - Alleged
Failure to include “Paid for By” Disclosure on Campaign Literature
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Recused: O’Neill
Excused: Biddle
Case Nos. 2010-46 through 2010-52, 2010-56 through 2010-59, 2010-64 and
2010-65 – In Re: Alleged Failure to Timely File Statements of Economic
Interests
Motion: Dismiss
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-53 - In Re: Kathy Haynes - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
5
Case No. 2010-54 – In Re: Charles Davis - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-55 – In Re: Robert Henderson - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-60 – In Re: John Lovio - Alleged Failure to Timely File Statement
of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-61 – In Re: Barbara Ybarra - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-62 – In Re: Richard Ybarra - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
Case No. 2010-63 – In Re: Stephen Carter - Alleged Failure to Timely File
Statement of Economic Interests
Motion: Approve Stipulation
Vote: Carried Unanimously
Excused: Biddle
...
San Diego Ethics Commission
The Ethics Commission apparently is not interested in these statements
of economic interests.
of economic interests.