I've heard the name Paul Morabito floating around in connection with Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and her transition into office. Since the new sheriff is still a relatively unknown commodity, I decided to find a little more about Morabito.

According to Ryan Burris, staff writer to former Sheriff Mike Carona and now promoted to the newly-minted position of Assistant to the Sheriff, Morabito was involved during the first two weeks of the transition (or at least, it was only at that time that Burris had any interaction with him).

According to Ryan, Morabito advised on how to set up and structure the Office of the Sheriff in order to optimize efficiency, taking care of the Sheriff's calendar, documenting who trying to contact her, put in place checks regarding relations with political and charitable organizations; gave advice on gift ordinance compliance.

Ryan didn't know the provenance of the Sheriff Hutchens connection with Morabito, but was pretty sure it went back to her career at the LA Sheriff's Department. Indeed, at one time Morabito was a "senior policy advisor" to the LASD.

But who is this guy? We still don't know too much about Hutchens beyond the media biography, so it might help to know more about the people she trusts to advise her.

Paul Morabito, Businessman
Morabito is wealthy man who has acquired that wealth in a variety of enterprises that ultimately revolve around petroleum products. He owns a number of Jiffy Lube franchises and plans to develop a mini-casino in Fernley, Nevada. Until last year, he owned a company called He owned a Reno, Nevada-based company called Berry-Hinckley, which operated convenience stores, car washes and card-lock and wholesale petroleum operations. He he broke up and sold the company early in 2007.

Paul Morabito, Major Political Donor
Morabito gives a lot of money to political campaigns.  According to CampaignMoney.com,, Morabito's federal contributions alone were:

$47,000 in the 2008 cycle (thus far)
$75,000 in the 2006 cycle
$64,500 in the 2004 cycle
$4,500 in the 2002 cycle
$43,000 in the 2000 cycle

Morabito is generous to both parties. While his 2008 contributions have thus far been limited to GOP candidates and committees (except for $2,300 for Hillary), in 2005-2006 he gave $25,000 to the DCCC and $50,000 to the RNC (for those, he listed his occupation as President of Baruk Petroleum)

In 2000, all Morabito's federal contributions went to the Democrats, donating to Gerrie Schipske for Congress, the DNC, Gore 2000, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Flanagan for U.S. Senate and the Committee for a Democratic Majority.

Morabito gave $2,000 to John Kerry in 2004, while the vice president of his company, Deward Bayuk, gave $2,000 to George W. Bush. Baruk Petroluem is connected to a number of Jiffy Lubes, although its Manta.com profile describes its line of business as "oil and gas exploration."

Morabito also gives to LA City races (here and here, for example) and is a major state political donor.

Paul Morabito, Mover and Shaker
Given his generosity to political candidates annd groups, it's not surprising Morabito has served on a number of government boards. The former Gray Davis fundraiser has served on the California High Speed Rail Authority governing board, and was chairman of the California Coastal Conservancy.

In the latter capacity, he apparently played a key role in saving Crystal Cove from development:

During the weeks after that meeting, strategy sessions were held at Smith's ranch in San Juan Capistrano. Resort opponents agreed to put differences aside until they could defeat the resort project. On February 5 Smith talked with Paul Morabito, a Laguna Beach resident recently appointed to the seven-member Coastal Conservancy. On February 8 Smith and Morabito, a fundraiser for Governor Gray Davis, talked with the governor.

A week later, on February 16, Governor Davis announced a "breakthrough agreement." His press release stated that Secretary Mary Nichols was asking the Coastal Conservancy to provide up to $2 million for buying out Preservation Partners, adding: "This truly is a triple-win. It is responsive to the local community, expands environmental protection, and reimburses the developer for costs incurred up to now."

Morabito generously supported Jim Gibbons for Governor in 2006, much of it through his Laguna Beach-based Arcadia Living Trust A. In June, 2007 Governor Gibbons announced the appointment Morabito to the Board of Directors of the Nevada Department of Transportation.

So what's the connection to Sandra Hutchens and the interest in advising her on the organization of her office? I would imagine it goes back to whenever Morabito was a "senior policy advisor" to the LASD. And he clearly exhibits an interest in law enforcement: he's an honorary chief deputy of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and active in that office's foundation. Washoe County is where his Nevada business is based.

I left a message for Mr. Morabito yesterday afternoon, and he returned my phone call first thing this morning. We spoke at length and he answered every question I posed. I'll post about our conversation this afternoon.

I have a request in to speak with Sheriff Hutchens to get her take on how she connected with Morabito and his role in her administration.