Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Corruption Still Hurts, Even if Legislation Not Passed

  •  Katie Orr 
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Rich Pedroncelli / AP
 

Rich Pedroncelli / AP

The federal government alleges Calderon took $100,000 in bribes. In exchange he supported two separate bills.

One would have expanded how film tax credits are applied. The second would have preserved a billing loophole allowing hospitals to double charge for some procedures. Neither was ultimately successful.

But Sacramento State’s Steve Boilard said that’s not the point.

“The damage is done whether or not the legislation goes in one direction or the other," he said.

Boilard is Executive Director of the university’s Center for California Studies.

“The point here is that you have a politician voting on the basis of outside funding rather than on the basis of consideration of the constituents’ best interest," he said.

And, while the allegations against Calderon are egregious, Boilard said it’s common for politicians to accept campaign contributions from people with a vested interest in bills the politicians will be voting on.

“The whole process is just a swamp of this influence of money that I think does pollute the process," he said.

To clean things up, Boilard believes voters have to do a better job when electing people to office. Some may soon get a chance. Senate Democrats have called on Calderon to resign.


Calderon Indictment by CapRadio

 


 

Take a look at KPCC's timeline of events about the Calderon case: 


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    Related Stories

  • Katie Orr, Capital Public Radio

    Democrats Give Calderon One Week to Leave or Face Suspension

    Monday, February 24, 2014
    Democrats in the California Senate are giving Senator Ron Calderon one week to either resign or take a leave of absence. If he does not respond, he will be suspended.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP

    Calderon Indicted On Fraud, Bribery Charges

    Friday, February 21, 2014
    (UPDATE 1 P.M.) -- A California State Senator could face up to 400 years in prison after being charged in a public corruption case.
  • Calderon Claims Feds Asked Him To Wear Wire

    Thursday, November 14, 2013
    The political firestorm over state Senator Ron Calderon has taken a new turn. The Democrat from Montebello has asked a federal judge to hold the FBI in contempt of court for trying to smear him because he wouldn't take part in a sting operation.
  • Senators Deny Calderon Investigation Claims

    Thursday, November 14, 2013
    The leader of the California Senate is publicly refuting claims he is under investigation by the FBI.
  • CPR photo/Ben Adler

    Calif. Senate Yanks Calderon's Committee Assignments

    Tuesday, November 12, 2013
    The California lawmaker accused in an FBI affidavit of taking $88,000 in bribes has been stripped of his committee assignments.
  • CPR file photo/Andrew Nixon

    Capitol Roundup: Calderon Responds...Sort Of; October Cash Report

    Friday, November 8, 2013
    State Sen. Ron Calderon issues a statement prompted by the bribery allegations against him in a leaked FBI affidavit - but doesn't address the allegations themselves. Also, October turned out to be a strong month for state budget revenues.
  • CPR photo/Ben Adler

    Calderon Set to Lose His Committee Assignments

    Wednesday, November 6, 2013
    The leader of the California Senate is moving to strip a state lawmaker caught up in an FBI sting operation of his committee posts, one week after the report of a leaked affidavit accusing Sen. Ron Calderon of taking $88,000 in bribes.
  • CPR photo/Katie Orr

    Sen. Calderon Returns to State Capitol

    Monday, June 10, 2013
    Democratic State Senator Ron Calderon made his first appearance before the media Monday since the FBI raided his offices at the California Capitol last week.

 capitol

Katie Orr

Former Health Care Reporter

Katie Orr reported for Capital Public Radio News through December 2015.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Despite Johnson & Johnson Vaccination Halt, California Officials Expect No Significant Impact

April 13, 2021

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Supreme Court Rules For Worshippers And Against California COVID Restrictions

April 10, 2021

Jeff Pachoud/AFP via Getty Images

Can Vaccines Stop Variants? Here's What We Know So Far

April 10, 2021

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Scientists Create Early Embryos That Are Part Human, Part Monkey

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California Coronavirus Updates: As Live, Indoor Performances Return, Guests May Be Required To Show Proof of Vaccination Or Negative Test

How To Get A Vaccine Appointment In California, And Other Things To Know About The Vaccine

Sacramento County Motels Sheltered Hundreds of Homeless Residents During The Pandemic. But They Could Soon Close.

Signatures Are In. What You Need To Know About The Gavin Newsom Recall Effort.

Scientists Create Early Embryos That Are Part Human, Part Monkey

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.