Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • 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
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • 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 

Convicted State Senator Takes Leave Of Absence

Tuesday, February 25, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Sen. Rod Wright's office
 

Sen. Rod Wright's office

Rod Wright’s decision comes with pressure mounting on Senate Democrats to hold Wright to the same standard as the other member of their caucus in legal trouble, Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello).  He’s been indicted on 24 counts, including bribery and corruption.  And Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg has given Calderon a week to resign or take a leave of absence – or else face a suspension vote on the Senate floor.  But there’s been no call by Democrats for Wright to resign – even though he’s been found guilty by a jury, and Calderon hasn’t gone to trial yet.

Steinberg insists the two cases are different: The charges against Calderon, Steinberg argues, go to the very heart of voter confidence in a public official.  But that hasn’t stopped questions about whether the different treatments of the two lawmakers are justified.  If Calderon now takes a leave of absence too, Senate Democrats will lose their two-thirds supermajority.

ORIGINAL STORY (AP)

Sen. Roderick Wright, a Democrat who represents a Los Angeles-area district, requested the leave during a meeting Tuesday with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

Steinberg, a fellow Democrat, said in a statement that he accepted the request.

The senate leader had recommended letting Wright remain in office until his sentencing. That has been delayed until May.

But Steinberg faced increasing pressure from Republicans after Senate Democrats demanded that a second Democratic senator, Ron Calderon, resign or take an indefinite leave after he was indicted last week on multiple federal corruption charges. Calderon pleaded not guilty Monday.

Wright's spokeswoman did not immediately return telephone and email messages.

Related Stories

  •  Dennis Goedegebuure, flickr

    California Campaign Finance Regulator Resigns Before Election

    May 30, 2018

    Fair Political Practices Commission chairperson Jodi Remke announced Tuesday that she will step down on Friday. It follows months of acrimony with other commissioners.

  • Steve Yeater / AP file

    California Senator Tony Mendoza Resigns After Sexual Harassment Investigation, But Says He'll Run For Re-Election

    February 22, 2018

    His resignation followed an outside investigation, which found that Mendoza likely engaged in "flirtatious or sexually suggestive" behavior with six different women, including former staffers and fellows. The allegations date back to 2007.

  • Ben Adler / Capital Public Radio

    Report: California Senator Tony Mendoza ‘More Likely Than Not’ Made Sexual Advances Toward Six Women

    February 20, 2018

    A summary of the Senate’s outside investigation comes after the chamber’s Rules Committee met in closed session to discuss Mendoza’s fate for the second weekday in a row.

  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP / File

    Window For Sexual Harassment Complaints Could Widen Under New Bills

    January 18, 2018

    New legislative efforts supporting the “Me Too” anti-harassment movement could change the reporting process for victims filing complaints.

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Women In Calif. Politics Share What They'd Like To See Change

    October 26, 2017

    Women in California politics, protesting sexual harassment and abuse at the Capitol, distrust the response from legislative leaders.

 


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

  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP

    Wright Case Hits Close To Home For Many California Lawmakers

    Monday, March 3, 2014
    Rod Wright isn’t the only California state lawmaker who’s been accused of living outside his district’s boundaries. He’s just the only one who’s been charged and convicted.
  • Sen. Rod Wright's office

    Attempt to Expel Convicted State Senator Derailed

    Thursday, February 27, 2014
    Some fireworks and political theater on the floor of the California state Senate Thursday, as Republicans sought to force a vote to expel Sen. Rod Wright (D-Los Angeles) and Democrats turned the motion aside.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Steinberg Holds Off On Calling For Wright's Resignation Until 'Final Conviction'

    Friday, January 31, 2014
    California Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg is declining to call for Democrat Rod Wright’s resignation or expulsion after Wright was convicted of eight felonies earlier this week.
  • Sen. Rod Wright's office

    Democratic Party Likely Not Hurt by Wright's Conviction

    Tuesday, January 28, 2014
    A Los Angeles jury has convicted Democratic State Senator Rod Wright of eight counts of perjury and voter fraud. Today’s verdict is the latest blow to California’s Democratic Party.

 capitol

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Google Maps

After racist videos circulate at a Roseville high school, parents call for honest conversation about the N-word

June 21, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Long COVID patients struggle as medical community learns more about the condition

June 22, 2022

Source: Guttmacher Institute; Credit: Haidee Chu and Kristin Gourlay/NPR

Here's where abortions will likely be banned or strictly limited post Roe

June 24, 2022

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

Cal Fire fumbles key responsibilities to prevent catastrophic wildfires despite historic budget

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Here's what it means for California.

Governor Newsom signs bill to shield patients threatened by abortion bans in other states

Hundreds gather in Sacramento to protest Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade

Cal Fire fumbles key responsibilities to prevent catastrophic wildfires despite historic budget

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
    • Careers & 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. © 2022, 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.