Howard Sunkin to supervise Dodgers' community relations

Howard Sunkin, the Dodgers executive whose salary from the team's charitable foundation has drawn scrutiny from the California attorney general, has been assigned to oversee the team's community relations.

Of the nearly $1.6 million spent by the Dodgers Dream Foundation in 2007, more than $400,000 was paid to Sunkin, according to federal tax records. In August, the attorney general's office asked the Dodgers to explain the significant allocation of non-profit funds for executive compensation.

Dodgers spokesman Josh Rawitch said the team has "been cooperating fully" with the investigation. Neither he nor Jim Finefrock, a spokesman for the attorney general, would comment on the status of the investigation.

Sunkin worked as the Dodgers' senior vice president for public affairs from 2004-07. He then moved to the McCourt Group, where he has emerged as the right-hand man to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.

Sunkin has worked with city leaders and neighborhood groups on planned renovations to Dodger Stadium and proposals for an NFL stadium and other development in the stadium parking lots. With McCourt putting major construction on hold because of what he says is a lack of financing, Dodgers staffers were told this week that Sunkin again would oversee community relations.

Rawitch said in a statement that Sunkin would continue to work on civic affairs while "taking a more active role in managing the relationships the team has with more than 5,000 non-profit organizations throughout the city."

--Bill Shaikin

Comments

[skyharbor]

It has finally sunk in how despicable these rogues are which according to Merriam-Webster is so worthless or obnoxious as to rouse moral indignation and deserving to be despised.

[68elcamino427]

Anyone else need a Barf Bag?

[Rocco]

For a few years i wondered who that guy was in the pink shirt sitting next to frank. Now we know who and what he is all about...he should be ashamed of himself...they should all be ashamed of themselves.

[Bernie Madoff]

I don't see a problem with collecting a large salary.

[Dodger Fan]

I wish Vito Corleone would make the McCourt Family an offer they can't refuse. Complete with a visit from Luca Brasi!

[KoufaxFan]

McCrap ought to just bring in Kim Jong-Il to run the disgraced Dodgers.

[Since '58]

Fox in the hen house.

[Dagou]

I had the misfortune of meeting Howard Sunkin when the Dodger organization expressed some interest in some property I owned adjacent to the stadium. Their interest was more about lowballing us for the land. He's almost as much as a lowlife as his boss. We can only hope that when this divorce is through, the team ends up with someone who can restore them to their former glory and Frank goes back to Boston where he belongs. He'll need to take that jackass Sunkin with him

[Blue Sangre]

Another slap in the face followed by laughter from McCourt.

[nofun]

I've met this guy as well. What you see is what you get: a smarmy scumbag. They will take every nickel they can out of the Dodgers (and apparently out of kids' pockets as well...)