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Stevens Testifies Before Grand Jury

Former Councilman Says He's Got God And 'A Good Lawyer'

POSTED: 9:18 am PDT June 6, 2003
UPDATED: 3:55 pm PDT June 6, 2003

Former San Diego Councilman George Stevens testified Friday before a grand jury investigating possible public corruption at City Hall, 10News reported.

Discussion

George Stevens

Last month, FBI agents raided the offices of councilmen Michael Zucchet, Charles Lewis and Ralph Inzunza, who have all denied wrongdoing. Simultaneous searches were carried out at a local strip club and two in Las Vegas, all owned by Michael Galardi.

Meeting every Friday beginning May 16 -- two days after the raid -- the grand jury has already heard from Councilman Jim Madaffer and several City Council staffers.

"I'm not that concerned about it," Stevens told reporters Thursday. "I have the best representation you could possibly have -- the father, the son and the Holy Spirit of God."

Stevens, an associate pastor, noted he also has "a good lawyer."

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Stevens said he was stunned at how much information the FEDs had. He said during his testimony he made a point about legal pitfalls facing public officials and reiterated his faith in his former aide.

"I've said from the start, I don't believe he broke any laws, knowingly. That's not Charles Lewis," Stevens said.

He said he spoke out because he wanted to take the sting out of this "big shocking thing."

"It rocked and shocked the city and I wanted to say, 'Hey!, It's not a great big thing, just procedure to find out who you wanna indict," Stevens said.

The investigation reportedly focuses on whether public officials were bribed with tens of thousands of dollars to change San Diego city laws restricting strip club operations.

Stevens, who left the City Council at the end of last year due to term limits, has said that during his ultimately unsuccessful Assembly campaign, he met with Lance Malone, Galardi's lobbyist.

He said Malone gave him a $3,000 campaign contribution from Cheetahs. He also said he declined a request by one of Malone's associates to get a council committee to reconsider laws governing strip clubs, according to 10News.

"There's no money you can buy me with," Stevens said. "There's nothing worth selling yourself."

Others city council staffers and at least one more current council member are expected to testify before the grand jury, 10News reported.


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