Saturday, October 27, 2007

By JOSEPH AX

STAFF WRITER, The Record

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson apologized Friday for his contributions to the political action committee of perennial presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche, who has faced allegations of anti-Semitism.

The Englewood Democrat's mea culpa came amid a chorus of criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike – including Johnson's running mate, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck, who said she was "embarrassed" and "disappointed" by Johnson's lack of an apology when news of the donations surfaced Thursday.

"Had I been aware of the LaRouche record of anti-Semitism, I obviously would not have made my contributions," Johnson said in a statement. "I am asking for a full refund of those contributions. I have spent my entire life opposing anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of hate; this regrettable episode only furthers my resolve to fight bigotry of all stripes. I sincerely and humbly apologize to those whom I have hurt."

But Clara Nibot, the Republican challenger to Weinberg whose campaign first brought the contributions to light Thursday, called the explanation "laughable."

"Mr. Johnson wasn't apologetic yesterday," Nibot said in a statement. "He is not sincere and his statement is hypocritical.

"If this is an example of how Assemblyman Gordon Johnson makes reckless decisions with his money, then it shows that he cannot be trusted to make decisions with the taxpayers' money," she said.

She called on him to return $100,000 in "clean-elections" public campaign financing he has received as part of a pilot program and to donate money to the Anti-Defamation League.

On Thursday, Johnson first attempted to defend the seven contributions totaling $1,850 from 2005 and 2006, expressing support for what he said was LaRouche's "mission" at the time of exposing corruption in the Bush administration. Johnson, 57, said he had heard that there were "statements ... made back in the early days," but that he had not heard anything "lately" to suggest that LaRouche was anti-Semitic.

LaRouche, 85, an eight-time presidential candidate, has been a controversial figure for decades. Despite running as a Democrat seven times, he has been denounced by the Democratic Party,and the Anti-Defamation League has accused him of anti-Semitism, a charge LaRouche has denied.

LaRouche, an economist and philosopher, served five years in jail in the late 1980s and early 1990s for mail fraud and failing to pay back loans from campaign supporters. He has focused his political campaigns on the idea that the U.S. financial system is nearing a complete collapse.

In a written note to Johnson early Friday, Weinberg asked her running mate to apologize for the contributions.

"I am embarrassed, upset and generally mystified by the Record report of your defense of your contributions to the Lyndon LaRouche PAC," she wrote. "I urge you to understand the seriousness of this issue with the many diverse communities we both represent. Consider it carefully, understand it and take it to heart, and then hopefully apologize to all concerned."

In a phone conversation with a reporter, Weinberg again expressed her disappointment, but added that Johnson has visited Israel several times and has always celebrated the diversity of the 37th District.

"Anyone who knows Gordon knows he is not an anti-Semite," she said.

Johnson's other running mate, Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle, spoke after his apology was issued and said she was satisfied.

"I'm certainly disappointed in Gordon Johnson's judgment," she said. "He has made a very large mistake, for which he has now sincerely apologized. I think we should focus on Gordon's life's work, which reflects more clearly his values than a few contributions."

Bergen County Democratic Organization Chairman Joseph Ferriero, a political foe of Johnson's, released a letter to Johnson blasting him for the contributions; Democratic Assemblyman Gary Schaer, D-Passaic, a Ferriero ally, did so as well.

"Clearly, through your significant financial support of such a racist man, you condone and support his beliefs," Ferriero said. According to Ferriero's letter, LaRouche has downplayed the extent of Nazi atrocities against Jews during World War II and has asserted that only 1.5 million Jews died in the Holocaust.

The letter, made public late Friday, called on the three candidates to apologize publicly and said they should resign if they did not. It also asked Johnson to donate to the Anti-Defamation League.

When asked about the letter, Weinberg said they already had apologized through their statements.

"He [Ferriero] is, as usual, a little bit late," said Weinberg, who, like Johnson and Huttle, frequently clashes with Ferriero.

Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz and Frank Cifarelli, the Republican challengers to Johnson and Huttle, also weighed in on the controversy before Johnson's apology was released.

"I think the way Gordy just dismissed it is outrageous," Cifarelli said.

"I was very surprised that he would contribute to LaRouche," said Siemaszkiewicz. "Johnson's argument that he did it because [LaRouche] was working against George Bush – I don't think it's plausible, because you have so many other organizations working against George Bush."