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Fellow Republicans seek assemblyman's resignation
Monday February 10, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) Some Central Valley Republicans have asked
state Assemblyman Steve Samuelian to resign after police stopped
him for loitering in an area known as a place to pick up
prostitutes.
Fresno police did not issue Samuelian, R-Clovis, a citation for
the alleged Feb. 1 incident. Police stopped Samuelian in a
state-leased vehicle after he allegedly followed a female in an
area known for prostitution, according to reports.
A call to the Fresno City Attorney's office to find out if
charges will be filed was not immediately returned Monday.
On Sunday, Central Valley Republican leaders called Samuelian's
alleged behavior detrimental to the public office.
``Assemblyman Samuelian's recent indiscretion is reprehensible,
and establishes a pattern of behavior that is unbecoming of an
elected official,'' wrote U.S. Rep. George Radanovich of Mariposa,
for whom Samuelian once worked as district director.
Others criticizing Samuelian include Michael Der Manouel Jr., a
state Republican Party executive committee member; U.S. Rep. Devin
Nunes, R-Visalia, and the California Young Republicans of Fresno
County.
Christopher Orrock, Samuelian's spokesman, said Republican
leaders and young Republicans, who called a news conference at
county party headquarters Sunday, have acted prematurely.
``These are liberal Republican groups using the Republican
mantra to get on TV and create more divisiveness. There's been no
charges filed. There's been no crime committed. There's only a
report written two days after an officer gave the Assembly member
directions,'' Orrock said.
Officers released Samuelian after he said he got lost trying
drop off a flier at the Fresno County Farm Bureau around 9:45 p.m.
Upon further investigation, police recommended Samuelian be
cited for loitering for the purpose of soliciting an act of
prostitution after a previous arrest.
In September 1998, Samuelian was arrested for asking an
undercover officer for oral sex. He had been married about four
months earlier. That arrest was in the same area he was seen on
Feb. 1. Samuelian paid a $500 fine and completed a one-day
diversion program that removed the citation from his record.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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