In Contempt

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Jul 19, 2005 - 04:15 PM

In Contempt

by Jamie Court

Arnold's contempt for Californians may soon have an official sanction. Today Sacramento Superior Court Judge Judy Hersher ordered the Gov and top officials to appear in court August 17th to explain why they should not be held in contempt of court for willfully violating an order requiring implementation of safe hospital staffing rules.

Following state attorneys' defense of the Gov's defiance, Hersher said "you have left me no option but to set a hearing" on whether Arnold and his deputies should be held in contempt of court.

Arnold has an affirmative obligation to uphold state patient safety laws despite the objections of his campaign contributors from the hospital industry. Between his decision to shrug off these legal duties and the recent "Muscle-gate" revelations about secret contracts Arnold signed with magazine publishers, the Gov himself is making the case for misconduct in office.

Today FTCR called upon legislative leaders to investigate specific conflicts of interest created by Arnold's other private business relationships and enumerated the dozens of bills that Arnold's business partners have lobbied on. The only outstanding question is whether Democratic legislative leaders have the political will to carry out the people's will and thoroughly investigate Arnold's conflicts and contempt.

ArnoldWatch is a project of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization. FTCR does not endorse or oppose candidates.