Shelley Should Face Recall, But Not Yet Resignation

California’s Secretary of State Kevin Shelley is in hot water. The California Republican Assembly and at least one major newspaper have called on him to resign over several scandals that involve the use of government funds to promote Shelley’s career. But calls for resignation are premature. However, there is enough evidence to warrant a recall election.

The case against Shelley grows stronger every day. So far we know that one of his key fundraisers, Julie Lee, appears to have illegally laundered at least $205,000 in contributions to his 2002 campaign committee. Some of the money came from a state grant that was supposed to go to the building of a community center, but which instead was funneled through contractors and other middlemen to Shelley’s campaign.