Brian Setencich

Brian Setencich (born 1962) served in the California Assembly from 1995 to 1996 and as Speaker of that body from September 1995 to January 1996, before being recalled from office by his constitutents.

Related Topics:
California Assembly - Speaker - Recalled

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Setencich was a Republican, but when Republicans gained a one-vote majority in 1995, threatening longtime Democratic Speaker Willie Brown's hold on power, Brown convinced Setencich and another Republican, Doris Allen, to vote with the Democrats. Brown had Allen elected Speaker, but in name only, since Brown continued to lead the legislative body as head of the Democratic caucus. Outraged Republicans had Allen recalled, and shortly before her removal from office, she resigned, and Brown had Setencich elected Speaker, serving in the same capacity as Allen had. Republicans initiated recall proceedings against Setencich, too, and were successful. When the recall was certified in early January 1996, Brown's Democrats lost their majority in the Assembly, allowing Republicans to take control of the body and elect their leader, Curt Pringle, Speaker.

Related Topics:
Willie Brown's - Doris Allen - Curt Pringle

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Setencich was tried and acquitted of bribery and mail fraud in February 2000. He was then tried and convicted in June 2000 of federal tax evasion, and was sentenced to prison.

Related Topics:
Bribery - Mail fraud - Tax evasion - Prison

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