Felony Allegations Cost Democrats In California Senate Their Supermajority

 

Two California state senators in legal trouble are taking indefinite leaves of absence from their jobs, rejecting Republicans’ calls for them to resign and costing Democrats their supermajority, at least temporarily.

Last week, Senate Democrats voted down a GOP resolution to expel state Sen. Roderick Wright (D), who was convicted Jan. 28 of eight felony counts of voter fraud and perjury. Wright was first indicted in 2010 on charges that he lied on his voter registration form and candidate filings and committed voter fraud in five elections.

State Sen. Ronald Calderon (D), who has been indicted on federal corruption charges for allegedly accepting almost $100,000 in bribes, meals and golf outings — including $88,000 in bribes from an undercover FBI agent — began a leave of absence last week to fight the charges. Federal agents raided Calderon’s Sacramento offices in June. He has pleaded not guilty to 24 charges and was released on bond.

Both senators will be paid during their absences.

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