San Diego politicos have been on pins and needles today in anticipation of local TV station KFMB Channel 8’s pending 5 pm investigative report on Supervisor Bill Horn, his Chief of Staff Joan Wonsley, and their alleged shared property interests. Some in SD say that Horn, running for re-election against challenger and former Assemblyman Bruce Thompson, has been the subject of these rumors for years.

It is now apparent that whatever Channel 8 will be breaking within the next hour, may have already been broken by local activist Patsy Fritz today in the weekly Valley Center Road Runner. Because the column is not yet on-line, below is the full text.

It’s always a bit awkward to post this kind of story — especially since I have a friendship with both Bill Horn (pictured) and Joan Wonsley.  But we’re in the business of ‘breaking news’ here, and since this one is clearly in the public domain…  That said, I certainly and warmly invite Supervisor Bill Horn to submit his own take on this for inclusion in the FR, so that our thousands of readers can get his perspective first-hand.

(oh yes, to my San Diego Correspondents Barry and Duane, sorry to post this "over your heads" but I figured that it might be awkward for you guys to post this column…)

Public Documents, Private Secrets …
by Patsy Fritz in the Valley Center Road Runner

All wonky observers of the political scene love that 3-letter word ending in

"x" …

Yes, the word is "dox" – short for documents. The proof of the pudding is in the documents; there’s nary a politician who hasn’t had his words come back to haunt him. It’s like belching at the baptism. Nobody ever forgets.

Causing heartburn at Camp Horn these days are a series of "dox" on the Carlsbad house that Supervisor Bill Horn owns as "a married man, as his sole and separate property" … the residence of his highest-paid staffer, Chief of Staff Joan Wonsley.

Wonsley also serves as the driving force in fund-raising for Horn’s election campaign.

Horn’s salary, set by County Ordinance, is $115,068.

Wonsley’s salary, set by Bill Horn, is $115,116.

(Actually, the total compensation package for Horn is $175,635 and for Wonsley it’s $179,373 – but, taxpayers, we’ll get to the County pension issue in another column.)

Meanwhile, back to Workforce Housing, Bill Horn-style: County records

("dox") show the Avenida la Cima house was purchased January 15, 2003.

On March 25, 2003 his wife signed Interspousal Transfer/Grant Deed 2003-0332896 to Bill so he could record it as his sole and separate property by Deed of Trust #2003-0332898 on the same day.

Now it’s Bill’s, Bill’s, Bill’s own house, with a price tag of $856,500, a $640,000 mortgage and taxes of $10,171 a year. Neighboring houses are on the market for $1.2 million and up. Nice digs, and one GREAT employee perk.

The revelation of this largess was triggered by a "public communication"

early in the Supervisors’ March 14 Board Meeting, where the public is entitled to address the Supes on any item not on the day’s agenda. The speaker was Dr.

Ian Trowbridge, retired Director of the Cancer Biology Laboratory at the Salk Institute, an observer of the San Diego political scene in recent years:

"Chairman Horn, Supervisors:

" I have several simple questions related to the ethics of elected officials and their high level staff at the County. On the rhetorical questions I don’t expect an answer.

" Chairman Horn: Why does your Chief of Staff live in the million dollar house that you own separately from your wife?

"Do all board members extend this privilege to their Chiefs of Staff?

"Does your Chief of Staff pay market rate rent, Mr. Horn, and have you reported that on your Statement of Economic Interest forms for 2004 and 2005?

"If not, has she reported her gift of good living that you have given to her?"

Trowbridge’s questions got tougher – as Horn’s confreres – Supes Cox, Roberts, Jacob and Slater-Price – gaped at the revelations, with County CAO Walt Ekard turning the colors of the Swiss flag.

Horn, however, was surreally cool. Aware of the conjecture swirling for

years, he came prepared. He had a written statement literally at hand, which he slowly read, peering at the desk top but trying to look like he was winging it:

"I usually don’t answer public speakers, but I’d be happy to answer your

questions for you. My Chief of Staff has a lease option agreement which was signed over two and

half years ago on a piece of property that she placed a down payment on."

After commenting on family life at the ranch, he continued: "Any real estate

transaction that I have been involved with is on my 700 form, has always been, every piece of property that I own.

"As far as the tenants and as far as my managers, and as far as those operations go, those are not public information other than the fact I have to declare what I own. Thank you."

With that statement, the good and generous landlord shot himself in his cowboy boot: he said the magic words, "Form 700" (Statement of Economic Interests). Horn has botched his for years, but until Ian Trowbridge spoke up March 14, nobody ever called him on it.

The retired research scientist had obviously examined Horn’s Form 700 and found it wanting. Hugely. The Carlsbad manse that Horn owns by himself is slyly placed in his family Trust report. That house, by County records, was never, ever in the Trust.

Further, on his separate property he must report income relating to it.

Rent from Chief of Staff Wonsley to Horn on his Form 700? Zilch.

Lease option payments from Chief of Staff Wonsley to Horn on his Form 700?

Nada.

Down payment from Chief of Staff Wonsley to Horn on his Form 700?

Fuhgeddaboutit.

Maybe … she does windows?

And is there ANY recorded document at the County showing her "lease option agreement" on the million-dollar Carlsbad manse? Zilch & Nada all over again. (I sent three requests to Horn’s media aide, John Culea, for a copy. No response.)

Don’t get the idea that Bill Horn was so starry-eyed over providing this

house that he plum forgot to report just this item correctly.

You must report receipts over $10,000 per year from ANY person or entity.

Horn is a major apartment owner in the County (in his word, he owns "hundreds" of units). How many apartments do you know with rent under $834 per month?

According to Horn’s reports he has NO tenants paying that much.

But according to Horn, March 14, "As far as the tenants … those are not public information other than the fact I have to declare what I own."

Not so, amigo!

Then there are the avocados and tangelos raised by Farmer Bill. Years ago, he reported it correctly: gave the names of the packing houses he sold to.

Good job.

Now that’s blank on his reports. Are we supposed to think he sells those avos, one by one, at a roadside stand?

Transparency in government requires that you bare your soul to win your seat – within reason. If you want to serve, for example, on your local Planning Group or Water Board, you must also fill out Form 700. These are public documents.

But the public also has the obligation – most often served by the press – to examine those "dox." The public has the right to know that you’re not using

tax money to run a new road to your property, enhancing its value, or whether you receive gifts or favors beyond nominal cost from those hoping to influence you.

The public has the reasonable right to know if you’re casting your vote in favor of a person or entity who provided you $10,000 or more last year.

So you must correctly report property, assets, income and gifts. It’s to prevent favoritism, prevent cronyism, prevent back room deals – and to preserve integrity in government.

The Supervisors’ Chiefs of Staff must fill out Form 700s, too – including Wonsley. Right, "the gate-keeper," who controls what lucky developer sees Bill and how much face-time that developer gets. Even what letter is laid on Bill’s desk to read. (And you thought those letters to your Supervisor always reached him? And he read them? Ahhh, how touching. Remember that your Supervisor’s time is limited. And just remember WHO does the limiting.)

So how does Chief of Staff Wonsley report the Carlsbad house she’s lived in apparently for two and a half years, according to Horn’s deliberate reading of his written statement?

She reports it s-i-l-e-n-t-l-y.

Horn’s "gift of good living," as Trowbridge elegantly referred to this house, costing Horn over $46,000 a year for mortgage payments, tax, maintenance, insurance … and Windex, one supposes … is nowhere reported on Wonsley’s 700 Form. We’re waiting patiently for the 2005 "dox," not yet filed.

And to see how this squares with the County’s Allowable Gift Limit …

The claim of "integrity" often rolls off Bill Horn’s lips with practiced ease. He scorns those who don’t meet his "standards." Remember his righteous anger at Bart Hartman, the disgraced former County Treasurer/Tax Collector?

Hartman’s pursuit of his top aide, Rhoda Corpuz, resulted in the County paying $100,000 in taxpayer funds to settle her sexual harassment suit.

At the September 12, 2000, hearing, glaring at the unrepentant Hartman, Horn spat out that Hartman "just doesn’t get it."

Now it’s Horn who "just doesn’t get it."

It’s time that Bill Horn ‘fessed up, and filled out all the lines on those pesky "dox." By law, the public has the right to know: Who is getting what favors, from whom, and for what?

Those aren’t dirty little secrets. They’re BIG secrets. REALLY DUMB big secrets.

And for those of us who always thought Bill Horn was Valley Center’s "home town Supervisor," well, I guess we’re going to have to learn how to share.

He’s the Lord of a Manor in Carlsbad.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 at 12:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts.