The Nation - News from June 9, 1988

The man who gave former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham a $350,000 campaign loan testified in Phoenix that although he wanted it kept confidential, he never sought to violate campaign finance reporting requirements. Tempe, Ariz., developer and lawyer Barry Wolfson said at the trial of Mecham and his brother and campaign treasurer, Willard, that when he asked the then-gubernatorial candidate to sign a letter promising the loan would “remain confidential,” he was trying to assure “that I not be seen as a fat cat contributor who would be pestered for further contributions.” The Mechams are accused of violating state law by concealing the loan. Wolfson said he considered the loan to be a personal one to Mecham.