Schwarzenegger's PUC appointee under fire (qualifications and bankruptcy questioned)

LA Times ^ | 3/7/07 | Peter Nicholas

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO — The governor's latest nominee for the board that regulates the multibillion-dollar energy and telecommunications industries has been in bankruptcy for more than four years, and faces questions about his qualifications and his commitment to consumer protection.

Timothy A. Simon was one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's top-level aides, screening applicants for positions in the administration, until the governor selected him Feb. 15 for a vacant seat on the powerful Public Utilities Commission.

In December, while Simon was still working for Schwarzenegger, a judge ordered the state to deduct $1,795 per month from his monthly salary as part of a plan to repay his debts, according to filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland. A month later, a court trustee said Simon was in default of his repayment plan.

Simon, an attorney, has already begun his $124,000-a-year job at the commission, ... Opposition to his appointment looms.

Asked if Simon's financial troubles would be considered, Senate leader Don Perata (D-Oakland) said, "We weigh everything."

Perata said he also worried that Simon would emerge as another industry-friendly voice on a commission already laden with members sympathetic to business. Before the appointment, Perata said, he told Schwarzenegger aides that he wanted someone who would favor consumers in skirmishes over energy rates and cellphone disputes.

"That simply didn't register very high," Perata said.

Before joining Schwarzenegger's staff, Simon worked as general counsel for Global Crown Capital of San Francisco, which describes itself as a boutique investment firm. An official at the firm who succeeded Simon as general counsel, Henry Wolfgang Carter, said he was surprised to learn of Simon's nomination for the PUC job.

"What does he know about my PG&E bill?" said Carter, who spoke about Simon's job performance at Global Crown Capital to Senate aides who were reviewing Simon's credentials.

[Cicero]

What better governor over a bankrupted utility system than a bankrupt? California dreaming.

[NormsRevenge]

Simon, who lives in San Francisco, was unknown to Schwarzenegger before his hiring in January 2006. He was recommended by a longtime friend — former Assembly speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

[EagleUSA]

The future of California is a grave concern.

[Natchez Hawk]

Hmmm, I don't like his skipping out on child support payments, but anyone with the nerve to withhold $50K from the IRS certainly is going to get a little consideration from me.

[goldstategop]

LOL! The Party Of Felons is concerned about a deadbeat. So he's a laggard with his payments. The only thing that might redeem him in the eyes of the Democrats is if he went out and committed a crime and got himself convicted of it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus