Maloof brothers bedding Gray Davis to birth new Kings arena?

[Evilmav2]

I guess this is where some of the money the Kings saved on Keon is going...

Maloof Recall Donation To Governor Criticized


Fri Sep 26, 9:24 PM ET Add Local - KCRA TheKCRAChannel.com to My Yahoo!

Even though Gov. Gray Davis (news - web sites) refuses to play favorites in the NBA Kings-Lakers rivalry, the Sacramento Kings are taking a late stance on the recall. The basketball organization made a sizeable donation to help defeat the effort.

On public record, the Kings' Arco Arena limited partnership -- led by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof -- donated $100,000 to Davis' anti-recall campaign just two days ago. It is a big-money donation that some, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, are calling a blatant attempt to buy Davis' signature.

"Follow the money. Follow the money," said Howard Jarvis spokesman John Coupal.

At issue is an unsigned bill sitting on Davis' desk that could significantly benefit the Maloofs if signed. Assembly Bill 944 would make it possible for the Maloofs to build a new downtown arena along the Sacramento city rail yard with taxpayer money but without a public vote.

"It certainly gives the appearance of a pay-for-play, that a campaign contribution is directly tied to pending legislation on the governor's desk," Coupal said.

Neither Kings administrators nor the Maloofs returned repeated phone calls from KCRA-TV. But the governor's campaign office called the accusations of pay-for-play "Ridiculous. There is absolutely no connection between contributions and policy decisions. The governor makes decisions based on what's best for all Californians."

City officials also deflected criticism, saying they knew nothing of the contribution. Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo's chief of staff Chuck Dalldorf said, "You have to ask the Maloofs why they donated the money. This has no relation to the city at all. I don't know anything about why they did it."

Davis' press office said the governor has not yet signed AB 944, nor has he made a decision yet on whether or not he will support it.