One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Orange County Assessor Webster Guillory's felony arraignment rescheduled
OC Seal
(
Orange County
)
Orange County Assessor Webster Guillory was supposed to appear in court Friday — but his arraignment has been rescheduled for Sept. 22.
Guillory faces three felony counts of filing false nomination papers in the primary election held this past June. Prosecutors say the assessor signed his name on two of the petitions collected by his associate — falsely claiming he had collected and witnessed the signatures — and allegedly asked another colleague to sign a third petition falsely.
Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach is taking a stand in defense of Guillory. Moorlach says the charges are out of proportion, adding that a matter like this should warrant only a fine — if anything.
"Webster is a consummate professional and we work together well, and I called him up, and I said 'boy, this is gut-wrenching, this is heartrending that something like this would happen to such a fine individual. I'm here to support you.' And he was very appreciative and was rather calm, and just ready to move forward, and get it behind him."
Moorlach says Guillory initially decided against a reelection bid and had planned to retire. But various civic and business leaders encouraged another run, so he rushed to gather signatures.
Guillory's lawyer, John Barnett, argues this is all a clerical error — and that his client did not commit any crimes.
"Well, I think [the prosecution] just misunderstood the fact, because the facts do not show that he knowingly filed a document that was false," Barnett told KPCC. "And that's what's required by the statute is that he file a document or cause a document to be filed, which he knows to be false. And that's not what happened."
Sponsored message
Guillory served as the Orange County assessor since 1998. He faces a runoff election this November.
If convicted, he could get up to four years and four months in jail.
This story has been updated.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
