The Governor’s Race Is a Big Disgrace

Re “Records Belie Simon on Fraud Case,” Aug. 7:

Perhaps [Republican gubernatorial nominee] Bill Simon merely has convenient lapses of memory. Simon, who made his money the old-fashioned way--Daddy gave it to him--has flubbed investments and lost his family millions, enabling him to take tax deductions that more than cover personal losses.

Simon sings of his years as a hard-nosed law enforcement officer but disparages the tune of a jury that found his firm guilty of fraud. Simon played first violin while orchestrating the destruction of a formerly viable company, taking huge upfront fees and leaving a bank holding the bag.

Simon is wasting his time running for governor of California. His record makes it clear that he’s presidential material.

Marvin J. Wolf

Mar Vista

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Regarding Simon and his firm’s investment in Pacific Coin:

When commenting about pushing for answers to his handwritten questions on a memo, Simon is quoted as saying, “I’m a nice fellow. I might go away at some point.”

Might I suggest, Mr. Simon, that “some point” has arrived, and it is time for you to go away?

Jerry Parsons

Long Beach

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What is Gov. Gray Davis’ priority? Since Davis was elected, he has been responsible for two treasuries. Three and a half years after he was elected, his campaign bank account is full and the state is broke.

Given this anomaly, one would expect Davis to be working hard to balance California’s budget. Instead, Davis seems to care about nothing but raising money to run campaign ads against Simon. Davis should focus a little less on politics and a little more on running the state.

Edger Eggleston

San Diego