Gang of Five - Where Are They Now?

Gang of Five

I heard about California’s Gang of Five when I attended my first bail agent’s convention.  The year was 1988, the meeting was held in Monterey, and I had only recently decided to become a bail agent.  The keynote speaker was Rusty Areias, the best looking of the Gang of Five.  The attendees enthusiastically received Rusty as he took the podium.  When he regaled us with tales of epic battles against Willie Brown, then Speaker of the Assembly, fantastic images of dragons and dragon slayers floated through my mind.  As a young republican I had heard my share of horror stories about Willie Brown.

In 1987 and ‘88 Democrats held 44 seats in the Assembly, while the Republicans held 36.  The Gang of Five voted as a block, sometimes against the direction of the Speaker.  They were punished for their disloyalty, committee assignments stripped, staff reassigned, office space shrunk, parking privileges cancelled.  The Speaker tried to crush their will, but the Gang held tight.  Republican sponsored legislation continued to move, but Democrat sponsored bills were halted for fear that the Gang would cross the aisle and defeat those they had issue with.  In the Speaker’s words, “perception of power is reality”, and he did not want it to appear that he lacked power.

I was 22 years old, with a mortgage, a wife, a new-born, and a management job in my in-law’s small chain of paint stores.  If I was a bigger man (by that I mean more mature, less sensitive, and educated) I don’t think I would have felt so stifled.  But, I wanted to blaze my own trail, make my own mark, take the rewards, and taste the briny-sweet flavor of victory seasoned with risk.  Thank God the young are so naïve. Rusty Areias and The Gang of Five represented exactly what I craved.

I saw Rusty’s name on a Twitter feed the other day.  The FPPC levied a fine against him and others for engaging in “shadow lobbying”.  Shadow lobbying is seeking to garner support for a client’s cause or position without being a registered lobbyist.  I’m sure I’ve over simplified the issue. It seems to be a very fine line. I started thinking about the Gang of Five and wondered what they were up to.

Areias served as chair of the Coastal Commission.  Later, he was Director of the State Department of Parks and Recreation under the Gray Davis administration, serving from 1999 to 2002. Last year we learned that the State Parks Commission had been maintaining a secret fund for 12 years.  The official findings are that the fund’s existence was unknown to State Parks directors, including Areias. The same findings also show the fund grew most from 1998 to 2003.

The best known Gang of Five member was Gary Condit.  After a scandal that unseated Democratic Majority Whip, Tony Coelho, Condit won a special election to Congress.  Unfortunately, Condit, is known more for his relationship with Chandra Levy, than for his government service.  We know not what tomorrow brings so, make the most and best of today.

Jerry Eaves left the Assembly in 1992.  He served as a San Bernardino County Supervisor for 2 terms, his final term marked with scandal.  It was alleged that he received gifts from entities that had business before the Board then voted on their matters. Charges brought in Federal court were dismissed with an admonishment to the prosecutor for being overly zealous. Eaves entered a plea of no-contest to 7 reduced counts.  There is a fine soccer complex that bears his name.

Charles Calderon was the recognized leader of the Gang of Five. He currently sits in the Assembly. His son, Ian, is an Assembly member in the neighboring district.  Calderon was the first Latino Assembly majority leader.  He ran for Attorney General but lost to Bill Lockyer.  Two brothers, Ron and Thomas, both serve in the Senate. Ron has his own legal problems.  The FBI raided his Senate office early this summer and the case is pending.  A man stands apart from his brother.  Anyone that has siblings understands the import of that observation.

Steve Peace is an advisor to the San Diego Padres.  He is also the architect of California’s Top Two Primary system.  For that reason alone, he is one of my heroes.  Peace was also the writer and producer of the “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” movie franchise.  There were three Killer Tomatoes movies.  Perhaps calling it a franchise is generous, but he is my hero, and heroes receive much benefit.

Incidentally, I have since met Willie Brown.  He was the guest of honor and entertainment at a salon dinner at Ramekins Cooking School in Sonoma. Ramekins is owned by Sacramento power broker, Darius Anderson. The menu was selected by Willie (it's uncomfortable calling him Mr. Brown). During each course Willie related the food to his story.  It was a fascinating experience with exquisite food, interesting people, and, of course, Willie.

I'm sad that so many members of the Gang of Five have been marked by scandal.  Not because I feel let down by their supposed failings.  Rather, because I too have failings and sometimes have been forced to eat only from the bitter bowl of brine. In those moments, it helps to remember that this too shall pass.