SACRAMENTO - The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) reported today that California trial lawyers contributed $3.5 million to incumbents and candidates in statewide and legislative races between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000.

Nearly $3 million of the total came directly from individual lawyers and law firms. The remaining funds, just over a half million dollars, were contributed through trial lawyer political action committees.

"Based on our past election year research, what starts as an incoming tide of trial lawyer dollars in the first six months of the year surges to a greenback tsunami by election day," commented John H. Sullivan, CJAC president. "These guys give heavy and late."

He noted that in the 1997-1998 election cycle, trial lawyers ended up giving $10.3 million to statewide and legislative officeholders and candidates.

Reports filed at the Secretary of State's office show that legislators and candidates for legislative office received the bulk of the Year 2000 total (just over $2.4 million). A handful of legislators have received more than $100,000 in funding from trial lawyers and their PACs, including Senator John Burton ($585,500), Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa ($220,600), Assemblymember (and Senate candidate) Sheila Kuehl ($117,700) and Assemblymember (and Senate candidate) Jack Scott ($104,400).

Statewide office holders received the remaining $1,098,200. Reports show Governor Gray Davis receiving almost $700,000 in trial lawyer money, $672,000 from individual trial attorneys and firms. All $28,000 of the trial lawyer political action committee money was reported received last year.

Sullivan said that political contributions are a legitimate part of our freedom to communicate and select government representatives. However, the public should know when a powerful few are running a massive program to elect representatives to promote their narrow agenda.

Contributions by recipient and prior year contributions can be found by visiting www.cjac.org and selecting the "research" button.