FBI questions aides of former Assemblyman Mike Duvall [Updated]

Former Assemblyman Michael Duvall’s recorded boasts that he had sexual relations with a woman believed to be a lobbyist have drawn the attention of the FBI, whose agents have begun questioning associates of the disgraced Republican from Yorba Linda.

Agents have talked to at least two former employees of Duvall, including his chief of staff, Carolyn Ginno, to determine whether there is evidence of criminal wrongdoing that could lead to an investigation, according to people familiar with the inquiries.

"We did make contact with the two aides," said Special Agent Steve Dupre, a spokesman for the FBI. He declined to comment further.

Duvall resigned Sept. 9 after a videotape was widely distributed in which he told another assemblyman, on an open microphone, about sexual relations with a woman later identified in media reports as a lobbyist for a public utility company. Duvall, who is married, was vice chairman of the Assembly's Utilities Committee.

Ginno and other aides to Duvall did not return calls for comment.

[Updated at 12:55 p.m.: The Assembly had been conducting its own investigation of Duvall’s actions, but that will be halted because the Legislature's lawyer said today that Duvall's resignation means the Legislative Ethics Committee no longer has that jurisdiction.

Legislative Counsel Diane F. Boyer-Vine advised lawmakers that the authority of the committee "is limited to determining whether a member of the house may continue to serve as a member of the house," an issue made moot by the resignation.

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), however, asked that the co-chairs of the committee help her develop safeguards "to ensure that the relationships between legislators and legislative advocates ... remain totally aboveboard and consistent with the public's best interests."]

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Photo credit: Times file

Comments

[Paul51]

Amazing how many of these people get caught with their pants down and how stupid they appear. How they lie about it. Take a minute to look at Letterman and how he admitted to it and moved right on.

[sheila]

These Big Energy companies and their puppets running our state are COMPLETELY CORRUPT. Time to democratize the grid by implementing feed in tariffs and loans so that WE can produce clean, non-lethal, non-corrupt, affordable and reliable power within our built environment - on our own roofs and be paid for it!!

These utilities need to shut up now, and it's a perfect time to ram a bill through that will pay us fairly for doing what utilities are trying to monopolize...

Feed in tariffs (50 cents for all excess power produced and not net-metered) and AB 811 funding for ALL, no caps, NOW!

[Hypatia]

congress will intervene behind the scenes to protect their own. most of the male "lawmakwes

Congress will intervene behind the scenes to protect their own. Few of the male "lawmakers" (read: corporate stooges) can keep their zippers closed.

[Schigolch]

Why are you concealing the name of the lobbyist?

[Susan Ma]

Seriously, Why is the LA Times concealing the name of the lobbyist?

[chirs Avilla]

I am surprised that no one has touched upon Duvall's relationship with Farmers Insurance Group. He was an agent for the Los Angeles-based insurance carrier and Farmers pretty much bankrolled his campaign for election through its political action committee. What's more, he was a featured guest at many of Farmers' political conventions in Sacramento where the company tries to pressure legislators into supporting pro-business, pro-insurance industry legislation by inviting agents and employees of the company to a special conference that includes swooping into legislators' offices.

And while the feds are snooping, perhaps state and federal officials will want to look into Duvall's record as it pertains to legislation concerning insurance. And while they're searching through that compost pile they might want to take a look at Insurance Commissioner Poizner's relationship with the insurance company.

[doug wallick]

who else has the lobbyist slept with, and what is her name. seems like the fbi should be talking to the lobbyist and her employer, they are also the criminals here. why are the reporters only giving us partial stories.
regards

[juan]

Maybe all politicians should be unmarried. Maybe they should have their testosterone source removed, as well.

[Lantz Casual]

Duvall enjoyed the bragging at least as much as he enjoyed the cheating. And, he paid the price for it. Idiot...

Yep, Letterman's got balls. He didn't mince his words or try to deny anything. He's gonna come out okay on this one because he didn't lie or try to hide.

That clown that tried to blackmail him is going to jail.

[sheila]

Uh, Ms. Bass? Here is a guideline that will make ALL of our lives better: no more bribes in the CA state legislature. No sex, drugs, money, services, cash, donations, junkets, gifts, loans, nothing. Ever.

One man one vote could then be the currency of democracy. Can you imagine?

PS - you owe us some SERIOUSLY IMPROVED ENERGY POLICIES NOW, and Big Energy needs to shut up about it - Start with a 50 cent feed in tariff (no caps) for all of us who produce more clean energy (like rooftop solar) than we use, and statewide funding of AB 811 loans. You owe democracy a democratic energy bill after this disgusting corruption to show us you aren't all tainted.

Do you have the courage to do the right thing?

[stewart]

I find the curve ball on the states ethics inquiry is moot now that he resigned?
That is fascinating and I have to wonder if that is why the FBI moved so quickly then?
If the ethics inquiry had begun perhaps the FBI may have deffered, at least until that action had run its course?

[Shag]

I love it cause he's one of those right-wing family values Republicans. There are so many of them in trouble these days, maybe they'll start to mind their own business.