FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: PETER BYLSMA
PHONE: 310-795-8532
February 10, 2006
(Los Angeles, CA) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Los Angeles Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is pulling back the covers on the sordid love affair between certain legislators and personal injury lawyers.
“Personal injury lawyers are spending millions of dollars wining and dining the legislators they love. Unfortunately, however, this cannot be a one-sided relationship,” said Peter Bylsma, executive director of Los Angeles CALA. “ In return, trial lawyers expect support for laws that would make it easier to file lawsuits against small businesses and employers in California.”
Today, Los Angeles CALA presents some Valentine’s Day love stories that will make your heart sink. Below are the top five members of the Assembly and Senate who took the most money in trial lawyer contributions since the 2001-2002 election cycle, according to the Civil Justice Association of California.
Assembly
Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) = $424,899.00
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Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) = $225,150.00
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Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) = $166,800.00
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Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) = $159,000.00
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Rudy Bermudez (D-Norwalk) = $138,700.00
Senate
Joseph Dunn (D-Santa Ana) = $509,050.00
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Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) = $92,192.00
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Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) = $82,700.00
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Don Perata (D-Oakland) = $69,600.00
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Dean Florez (D-Shafter) = $53,600.00
“Our out-of-control legal system is leading to decreased access to the courts, quality of healthcare and increased cost of the things we use every day,” said Bylsma, “This love affair needs to end so we can kiss the lawsuit lottery good-bye.”
CALA is a nonprofit, grass roots, public education organization dedicated to serving as a watchdog over the legal system and those who would seek to abuse it for undeserved gain. For more information, visit www.losangelescala.org.
