The Region - News from July 12, 1985

The state Fair Political Practices Commission is opening an inquiry into whether state Transportation Commissioner J. T. Hawthorne is in conflict of interest when he votes for highway projects awarded to customers of his construction equipment business. Last month, state Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) called for Hawthorne’s resignation because he owns the exclusive San Diego County dealership for Caterpillar equipment. A Times inquiry revealed that since his appointment in February, 1984, Hawthorne has voted for more than $51.6 million in projects later awarded to his customers. This represents 92% of all major transportation projects in San Diego County since Hawthorne’s appointment.