CAMPAIGN WATCH : Lungren’s Murky Ad
Republican candidate Dan Lungren kicked off the race for state attorney general with a controversial ad campaign that is murky and exploitative.
The radio and TV commercials accuse Lungren’s Democratic opponent, San Francisco Dist. Atty. Arlo Smith, of going soft on crime by accepting a plea bargain in a rape and drug case involving wealthy businessman Donald E. Werby.
The commercials, which on radio sound like a news report, are misleading in their omission of some key facts. Werby was indicted by a grand jury for having sex with teen-age prostitutes, dispensing cocaine to minors and attempted bribery. The real estate tycoon pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to three years probation, nine months of community service and ordered to pay a $300,000 fine to a program for runaway youths.
Lungren’s TV ads say, “This, after Werby and his brother had given thousands to Smith’s political campaign.” The implication is the money bought Werby a better deal. In fact, Smith returned the money before the plea bargain.
“I am not embarrassed by the ad, but I am sorry there is some misinterpretation,” Lungren said. The ads now read, “Although Smith returned Werby’s political contribution, he should have turned the case over to the state attorney general because of potential conflict of interest.”
Smith’s record of plea bargaining and convictions is a legitimate and serious issue. Lungren’s commercial only trivialized it.
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