Attorney General
Jerry Brown's communications director, Scott Gerber, submitted his
resignation Monday after admitting last week that he had secretly taped
conversations with reporters.
In
the letter to Chief Deputy Attorney General James Humes, Gerber said he
was resigning "with a heavy heart" but emphasized that "neither the
Attorney General nor any other attorneys from our office were aware
that I was recording interviews without permission."
The
questionable, perhaps illegal, behavior came to light after Gerber told
the San Francisco Chronicle that one of its reporters had misquoted
Humes based on Gerber's recording of the conversation between Humes and
political writer Carla Marinucci.
Gerber had been placed on administrative leave after the Chronicle
wrote about the incident Friday.
Recording private conversations without consent is illegal under
California law.
The episode quickly emerged as an embarrassment for Brown, who is
the sole Democratic hopeful in next year's governor's race.
Brown has yet to declare his candidacy. Gerber did not handle
communications for Brown's political campaigns.
"I
want to apologize to (Humes) and Attorney General Brown for failing to
live up to the standards of the Office," Gerber wrote. "I also
apologize to the reporters whose interviews I taped without permission.
They deserved better from me."
Call Jack Chang, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916)
326-5543.
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