Lawmakers Report Thousands In Gifts From Groups

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers are reporting thousands of dollars in gifts and travel expenses they received from donors, ranging from payments for Gov. Jerry Brown's trip to China last year to tickets for events, meals and rounds of golf.

The Los Angeles Times reports that many of the gifts reported this week in annual filings were paid for by powerful interest groups that have business before state government.

Brown's financial disclosure statement showed more than $11,000 in gifts last year. That included $8,400 from the San Francisco-based Bay Area Council, which sponsored his weeklong trade mission to China last spring.

Sen. Ron Calderon, a Montebello Democrat who pleaded not guilty last month to federal charges of accepting bribes, disclosed $6,827 in gifts, including concert and fight tickets, meals and golf games.

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