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FBI Expand Perata Investigation

CALIFORNIA – As reported by the Peoria Journal-Star: 'The FBI has expanded its investigation of state Senate leader Don Perata in recent weeks, interviewing current and former members of his staff as well as lawyers and lobbyists for Bay Area card clubs that hired Perata's business partner at the senator's suggestion, five people with knowledge of the inquiry said.

"Federal agents are investigating Perata's financial relationship with the partner, Timothy G. Staples, and whether the Oakland lawmaker received any of the card-club money that went to Staples, according to people familiar with the probe who agreed to speak on the condition they not be identified.

"The agents' questions also centered on how and why the four card clubs came to hire Staples, though the card clubs do not appear to be a target of the investigation, these sources said.

"…The Chronicle reported in January that the clubs hired Staples after Perata introduced him to their lobbyists at a meeting he called in his Capitol office.

"…The FBI's latest inquiries are just two fronts in a wide-ranging investigation of Perata that was begun in November. The bureau is examining Perata's personal business relationships with a number of relatives and associates, and investigating whether he wielded influence as a top state official in exchange for personal income. Perata has denied wrongdoing.

"…Perata's involvement with card clubs has its roots in the clubs' opposition to the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians' effort to open a full-fledged casino in the Bay Area.

"The Lyttons received permission to buy Casino San Pablo in 2000, and they have sought to expand it from a simple poker hall to a full-service casino with thousands of slot machines, house-banked card games and other amenities…"

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