Credit: Voice of OC

Unless you are an avid local political junkie like me or one of the hundred or so readers that still subscribe to the Orange County Register, you may not know who Webster is. That’s Webster Guillory, former Orange County Assessor. For 16 years, until his defeat last year by Claude Parrish, Guillory collected and parsed out the various taxes from residents of Orange County.

Until last year, I can’t think of an election where he was seriously opposed. I mean, tax collector, while a well paying job, is not one most politicians vie for. It’s mostly a mundane managerial job supervising the folks that actually do the work. It’s also not all that controversial. So, why all the hubub lately?

It seems Webster was planning on retiring last year after 16 years on the job. That would have amounted to a dandy little retirement for the 70 year old who has the distinction of being the first African American to hold a county-wide elected office.

Instead, he decided to round out his retirement and, at the last minute, circulated nomination papers to enter the race one more time. And, that’s where his trouble began.

Allegedly, Guillory took out papers at the County Registrar and had an employee circulate them around the office. Other employees were asked (directed?) to sign off as he needed 20 signatures and time was running out.

All in all, Guillory is facing three felony counts resulting from the signature gathering. Additionally, but probably with no consequence, there is also the question of whether the signature gathering was done on county time as was alleged by employees of the former Assessor in a complaint filed last year with the Orange County DA.

According to the Voice of OC, Guillory’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 24th after being postponed due to scheduling conflicts. At that time, evidence will be presented to determine if a trial should be held. If Guillory is convicted, he faces over 4 years in prison. Well, actually, due to the way non-violent offenders are treated nowadays, he would more likely be the guest of Sheriff Sandra Hutchens. Maybe.